Negotiations have started between Israel and India for the sale of three Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) Phalcon airborne early warning systems.
An improvement in relations between India and the USA has provided a favourable background for the proposed deal. US support is essential following the abandonment of a similar deal with China last year because of pressure from Washington.
It is not clear on which aircraft India intends to mount the Phalcon system. China had selected the Beriev A-50, a modified Ilyushin Il-76 transport. The IL-76 is in Indian air force service. And an A-50 was being prepared to receive Phalcon in Tel Aviv when the deal was abandoned. The only other buyer, Chile, selected the Boeing 707 as its Phalcon platform.
India has acquired a Green Pine long-range surveillance radar from IAI subsidiary Elta. The radar, developed for the IAI Arrow anti-tactical ballistic missile, uses the same phased system array technology as Phalcon.
The Phalcon negotiations with India are part of a long list of proposed deals between the two countries, which includes helicopter upgrades, unmanned air vehicles and the IAIH arpy anti-radar weapon.
Spain has become the launch customer for Rafael's Reccelite reconnaissance pod, which has been developed from the company's Litening targeting pod. Deliveries will start by the end of this year. The Spanish air force will receive four pods and a single ground station. Elisra has supplied its final technical proposal and pricing to Greece for an electronic warfare system to equip the air force's Lockheed Martin F-16 fighters.Source: Flight International
