TEL AVIV [MENL] -- The Israel Air Force has determined emerging threats from neighboring Arab states that have been building combat air fleets based on U.S. aircraft.

IAF sources said the service regards Egypt as a leading threat with its fleet of F-16 multi-role fighters as well as plans to purchase up to 100 advanced Block 52 aircraft by the end of the decade. The sources also cited Jordan, which plans to upgrade its F-16 fleet to enable the deployment of advanced air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles.

"As the weapons in the Middle East become more advanced in the area of aviation, it marks a challenge for us to be able to cope with them," Brig. Gen. Ido Nehushtan, air force chief of staff, said. "We are surrounded by very modern air forces that continue to strengthen. We face challenges of an entirely different kind and therefore we require an air force that could deter and defeat."

In early June, Israel Air Force commander Maj. Gen. Eliezer Shkedy met senior U.S. defense and military officials and urged them to halt the export of advanced weapons to Arab enemies of Israel. Shkedy was said to have expressed concern over the sale of the F-16 to the United Arab Emirates and plans to sell the Block 50 to Egypt.