IAF Commander: To Solve Competitive Edge Problem Posed by Nuclear Deal, US Must Build Up Quality, Quantity of Weapons to Israel
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by Lea Speyer
IAF Brig. Gen. Yaron Rosen speaking at the Israel Air Force Center Foundation forum. Photo: IAF Foundation.
The very basic principals of the IDF’s qualitative military edge are being put at risk by the Iran nuclear deal, and it’s up to the US to help bolster Israel’s defenses, an Israel Air Force (IAF) commander told The Algemeiner.
According to IAF Commander of the Air Support and Helicopters Division Brig. Gen. Yaron Rosen, “These are very challenging days, because to counter the way Iran is building itself, the West is giving weapons…to other regional players. When you do that, you’re risking something which is very basic in the competitive edge principal put into effect a few decades ago.”
Rosen made these comments following an IAF Foundation-sponsored forum Thursday evening in New York, in which he joined former US ambassador to the UN John Bolton in a panel discussion on the threats posed by Iran and ISIS to the US and Israel.
“The weaponry and weapons systems are beginning to look the same wherever you look,” Rosen said, alluding to the Obama administration’s arming of its Saudi and Gulf allies with advanced defense capabilities following the signing of the nuclear agreement. “So now, Israel has a problem to keep its competitive edge.”
Rosen explained to The Algemeiner two ways in which the US, whom he described as the greatest ally Israel has today, can make sure his country is capable of defending itself from possible attacks by Iran and hostile neighbors: “It can keep something in the same platform, which only Israel has — give things only to Israel which are only US-made, like the F-35, or other high-end capabilities. And give Israel more than its neighbors. Both quality and numbers have to exist.”
According to Rosen, Israel is the linchpin of the Middle East. Weakening its military edge will only lead to a complete deterioration in the region and the opening of greater opportunities for terrorist organizations and enemy states, such as Iran, to gain increased control. “We cannot operate under these circumstances without US backing, ” Rosen said. “It’s all about numbers, because in the end, it is Israel that goes to fight.”
