- 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.
-
-
- Copyright © 2002 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly
prohibited without the written consent of Reuters Limited
|