Economic factors like the drop of the dollar and rising fuel costs have forced the IDF to ask for a budget advance of several hundred million shekels to purchase munitions and other supplies, according to sources.  The 2008 IDF budget was fixed at NIS 50.5 billion but shifting economics mean that the IDF needs an infusion of cash. 

"We need the advanced payments to deal with specific issues sooner than initially planned…This is key to improving the IDF's level of readiness," according to an unnamed senior IDF official.

For the full story, click here.