US Roadblocks re: the Venezuela-Israel F-16 Upgrade: Politics or Protectionism?

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FAV F-16A(click to view full) Citing members of the Israeli defense ministry, the Israeli newspaper Yedidot Aharonot reports that pressure from Washington has now forced Israel to freeze a $100 million contract with Venezuela to upgrade its U.S.-manufactured F-16 fighter jets. The Fuerza Aaerea Venezolana (FAV) had originally purchased the F-16A/B aircraft in 1982. Israel replaces most of the original American equipment inside its F-16s with Israeli-designed electronics and other modules, making companies like Israel Aircraft Industries a viable second source project lead and integrator for F-16 maintenance and upgrade deals. The recent back and forth between the USA and Israel over defense-related exports came to a head over China’s purchase of Israel’s indigenously-developed Harpy anti-radar UAV and subsequent request for maintenance. By suspending Israel’s participation in the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program, Washington was recently able to pressure Israel into essentially granting the USA veto rights on all Israeli defense exports. At the time, concern was expressed in some Israeli defense circles that this power would be used for protectionist purposes. Is that the case here? F-16A (click to view full) Venezuela’s neo-Marxist el Caudillo Hugo Chavez has certainly drawn considerable attention over his open support for the […]

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