Israeli army planning for the current year is based on the assumption that the army will remain on present cease-fire lines which will require an increased use of troops, Brig. Ezer Weizmann, chief of army headquarters branch, reported today. He said the planning will take into account the lessons of last June’s Six-Day War and will include an increase in armor and reorganization of artillery which will incorporate a “significant” amount of war booty. Israel seized scores of tanks, guns and other equipment in its smash through the Sinai Desert.
He reported that American Sky hawk fighter-bombers and Bell-250 helicopters would be used in expansion of the Air Force but he stressed that the army will always be ready to absorb the French-made Mirage-V supersonic jet planes if and when France ends its embargo on their shipment to Israel.
Military sources said here today that Russian technicians, advisors and instructors are functioning in all of Egypt’s armed forces. They indicated that Soviet penetration and presence was never stronger in Egypt than it is now.
Summing up Israel’s security position, a spokesman said that while Arab countries had rehabilitated their armies since their defeat last June, Israel had also strengthened her forces, including her air force, and today was stronger than before the Six-Day War.
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