Russia and Israel appear to be nearing an agreement over the sale of an Ilyushin -Il-76 Candid airframe to Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) for conversion to an airborne-early-warning aircraft for China.
The IAI proposal has been stalled by its inability to secure the Il-76 airframe for conversion.
Israeli sources are indicating that the "-Russian position is changing", with a final decision expected in the near future.
IAI is proposing to fit three phased-array antennas within a fuselage-mounted dome on the Il-76. It has previously modified a Boeing 707 for the Chilean air force, with conformal fuselage phased-array antennas.
The Russian aircraft will also carry an electronic-support measures/electronic-intelligence system and communications-intelligence equipment.
Source: Flight International
