A State Department spokesman declined to comment today on press reports that Israel had asked to buy additional F-4 Phantom Jets and Skyhawks to maintain air superiority over its Arab neighbors. State Department spokesman Carl Bartch was asked about the reports at a press conference and replied that there was “no comment for the time being.”
The report, which has circulated here for several weeks, was that the Nixon Administration had been asked to sell Israel about 80 more Skyhawk A-4 fighter-bombers and about 25 more supersonic Phantoms. At present prices for the planes, it was estimated that the transaction would involve about $150 million. Under a 1966 agreement expanded in January, 1968 during the Johnson Administration, the United States has delivered more than half of 80 Skyhawks. Last Dec. 27, the United States agreed to sell 50 Phantoms to Israel. A number of Israeli pilots have completed training in handling the 1,250-mile-an-hour plane. Meanwhile, Defense Department officials disclosed today that Israeli Air Force technicians and mechanics were taking advanced training at U. S. Air Force bases in this country to maintain and service the Phantoms which have not yet been delivered to Israel. The Israeli personnel are at Tinker Air Force base. Oklahoma; Hill Air Force Base. Utah; and George Air Force base in California. A class of Israeli Jet pilots were graduated after specialized training on the Phantoms at George Base.
Defense officials Indicated skepticism about an aspect of the press reports on the purported new Israeli bid which alleged Israeli interest in getting Phantoms equipped to carry nuclear weapons. They said Israel has repeatedly denied possession of such weapons and therefore would not ask specially-equipped jet planes or other delivery systems.
Authoritative sources here disclosed that Jordan, which recently received a consignment of F-104 jets from the United States, was seeking to hire U. S. Air Force veterans and ground crew personnel. It was noted that Jordanian fliers are being trained by the U. S, Air Force but that Jordan is not yet able to operate and maintain the F-104 Jets effectively.
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