London, Feb 8: Israel's air force is planning to give its combat pilots Viagra, in a bid to improve their performance at greater aerial heights.

Military researchers in the country believe the ingredients that allow enhanced blood flow for men suffering from sexual problems may help flyers operating at very high altitudes.

A recent study conducted by Israeli doctors among mountain climbers in Africa discovered a link between erectile dysfunction drugs and improved performance in high altitudes.

They found that active ingredient in the drugs made climbers perform better in an environment with less oxygen, which causes fatigue and dizziness.

The researchers showed that tadalafil, the active ingredient in Cialis, a Viagra-like antiimpotence drug, helped climbers to ward off fatigue and dizziness at greater heights.

According to Bamahaneh (“On the Army Base”), an official military magazine, this discovery has led army doctors to consider giving jet fighter pilots, who can fly at altitudes of up to 50,000 feet, the same drug.

"The Viagra family of drugs is considered effective in these conditions because when there is a long shortage in oxygen it leads to high blood pressure in the lungs, and the drugs help fight that," Times Online quoted military medical sources, as telling the magazine.

“The study’s findings justify the continuation of tests with drugs of this type in low-oxygen environments,” an air force officer added. (ANI)