Israel gets first of 14 new U.S. spy planes

TEL AVIV — Israel has received the first of 14 reconnaissance planes from the United States in a $125 million sale.

The Israeli Air Force received on Wednesday the B200-T spy plane, manufactured by Raytheon. The plane is a transport aircraft that has been modified for reconnaissance missions.

"The new plane will have one of the most advance reconnaissance systems in the world and will give us great capability," Air Force commander Maj. Gen. Dan Halutz said. "The plane is made for intelligence missions and there's no question that it's a force multiplier."

Three more planes are expected imminently. In all, the planes will arrive in four deliveries and replace older reconnaissance aircraft. Military sources said the planes, equipped with Israeli electronic subsystems, will replace the air force's Dakota aircraft.

The first planes are expected to be deployed by the end of 2001.

Earlier, the United States announced that it would sell 14 non-MDE Beech King Air B200CT/T fixed wing aircraft in a $125 million deal. A U.S. Defense Department statement said the aircraft will equipped with communications relay stations and other communications and navigation support devices.