Israel has made an offer to India for the purchase of at least one Phalcon airborne early warning system. Tel Aviv has to overcome India's concerns following the cancellation of the sale of a similar system to China after intense US pressure.
The offer was made by Amos Yaron, director general of the Israeli defence ministry, during a recent visit to New Delhi.
India has shown interest in the Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) developed Phalcon but is troubled by the Israeli Government's recent decision to bow to US pressure and block export of the Phalcon-equipped Beriev A-50 (a modified Ilyushin Il-76). India is thought to favour a Western airframe. To avoid a similar problem, Israel plans to seek approval from Washington.
• The Indian air force is negotiating the purchase of Rafael tactical long-range oblique photography systems, based on the Israeli company's Litening targeting pod. In August, the Spanish air force acquired the system to equip its Boeing F/A-18s. Deliveries to Spain begin in mid-2001.
Source: Flight International
