Pictures leaked by the US Navy of Chinese Shenyang J-8s intercepting USN surveillance flights - including 81192, which collided with a Lockheed Martin EP-3E ARIES earlier this month - have caused consternation in Israel as they show J-8s armed with Rafael Python 3 short-range, infrared-guided air-to-air missiles.
Known as the PL-8 by China, the Python 3 was sold to Beijing in the late 1980s/early 1990s, with possibly 3,000 missiles delivered. Israeli sources say the deal included technology transfer and China has developed the weapon.
The USA has repeatedly accused Israel of supplying defence technology to China, including avionics for the Chengdu J-10 fighter.
Tel Aviv had been hoping that the Bush Administration would sanction the sale of Israel Aircraft Industries Phalcon airborne early warning systems to China, a deal vetoed by President Clinton last year. Following the EP-3E incident, during which the ARIES force landed in Hainan, Israeli hopes of such approval have faded.
Meanwhile, the US Department of Defense is considering the protection of its surveillance aircraft, possibly with fighter patrols ahead of the planned route or by close escort. Such a move is likely to require a permanent USN carrier group presence close to China.
Source: Flight International
