Israel should also be given the satellite technology to give it real-time advance warning of Iranian missile launches.

US President Barack Obama's well-publicized signing of a bill aiming to enhance security cooperation between the US and Israel appears to have been timed to upstage Republican challenger Mitt Romney's trip to Israel, but officials say the measure was more than just a strategic photo op. The legislation could mark a significant step towards acquiring military equipment Israel has long sought to have...

The legislation, knowns as the "United States-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act of 2012," allows Israel to purchase American KC-135 aerial refueling aircraft for the first time. Thus far, the Bush and Obama administrations refused to sell planes of this kind to the Jewish state, primarily in order to bar it from launching a massive aerial strike on Iran...

So far, Israel has had to buy used commercial Boeing 707 airliners and convert them into tanker jets, a far from ideal solution considering the planes were originally designed for passenger flights. Just last week an accident occurred during an exercise involving such aircraft.

But the road between the ratification of the legislation and an actual deal to buy or lease such planes is still long; it could be years before Israel gets its hands on such equipmnet. Nevertheless, the law has been put in place, and now the time has come to find funding and agree on the technical details.

The legislation, which provides for special aerial armament, is also likely to allow Israel to acquire bunker buster bombs, a privilege previously denied by the Bush Administration. Israel has also asked for cruise missiles, but as of yet it remains unclear whether this request will be granted. Moreover, the bill does not explicitly address Jerusalem's request for satellite technology that can be used for intelligence purposes and to obtain real time missile warnings.
source: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7...261594,00.html