Rense.com


India Turns To Israel For
High Tech Weapons
By Sanjeev Miglani
5-29-3


NEW DELHI (Reuters) -- India is set to buy airborne Phalcon early warning radar systems from Israel in the biggest arms deal since the two countries established full diplomatic relations 11 years ago, an official said on Wednesday.
 
"We are on track on the Phalcons," the defence ministry official told Reuters.
 
Israel, which has rapidly emerged as India's second-largest arms supplier after Russia, is also negotiating the sale to India of sophisticated anti-ballistic Arrow missiles.
 
Analysts say the deepening defence relationship between India and Israel is part of a push to forge tighter links between the two countries, who both believe they are fighting Islamic terrorism that is supported by hostile neighbours.
 
"Stronger India-Israel relations have a natural logic," said G. Parthasarthy, a former Indian diplomat.
 
Washington this month dropped its objection to the $1.2 billion sale of Phalcon radars, which will be mounted on Russian-built aircraft to watch the border with Pakistan.
 
The defence official said India was tying up some issues, including with the Russians, before completing the purchase.
 
Washington last year persuaded Israel to suspend the sale when India and Pakistan were on the brink of war.
 
Washington's approval now for the sale is part of a U.S. effort to encourage Israel not to sell the Phalcon system to China, U.S. officials have said.
 
Washington fears Israeli, and U.S., technology sold to China could be used against Taiwan or end up in Iran or North Korea.
 
The United States has not yet cleared the sale to India of Israel's Arrow, the world's only operational anti-ballistic missile system.
 
"This is not yet ripe. We are talking about it. It is in the early stages," the defence official said.
 
New Delhi believes the $2.5 billion Arrow system would help it face down the nuclear threat from Pakistan.
 
Both India and Pakistan held nuclear tests 1998. They came close to war last year over Indian allegations, denied by Pakistan, that Islamabad trains, arms and funds Muslim militants fighting Indian rule in Kashmir.
 
India, which relied on the former Soviet Union for arms during the Cold War, represents a major market for Israel.
 
"This is a long-term relationship in the making," said retired Indian air marshal Vinod Patney. "Over a period of time India and Israel will get into a collaborative relationship, joint research and development."
 
Russia remains the main supplier of aircrafts, tanks, and ships but Indian military planners want high-tech Israeli weapon systems and electronics on these ships and planes.
 
 
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