Now India wants to buy Phalcon systems from Israel

TEL AVIV — India is negotiating for the purchase of two Phalcon airborne early-warning systems in the aftermath of Israel's cancellation of the Phalcon sale to China.

Israeli defense sources said they are concerned that the United States will pressure the Jewish state to cancel this deal as well. The negotiations are being conducted between India's Defense Ministry and Israel Aircraft Industries, producer of the Phalcon.

It was not clear whether the Phalcon deal would include the system that was meant for Beijing. Defense officials said with the exception of India, Israel has not been negotiating with any other country regarding the sale of the Phalcon.

The Israeli Haaretz daily reported on Sunday that so far the United States has not expressed objection to Israeli plans to sell the Phalcon and ground radar systems to India. But the newspaper quoted defense officials as expressing doubt whether Washington would approve the sales to India.

Israeli defense officials said Barak's decision earlier this month to cancel the Phalcon sale has improved relations with the Pentagon. They said military cooperation has resumed, including the prospect of U.S. export licenses for systems required for such weapons as the F-16 and Apache helicopter.

At the same time, the Jerusalem Post reported on Sunday that Turkey has apparently decided to delay modernization of its 170 U.S.-made M-60 tanks. Israel Military Industries was chosen for the project but Turkish officials said they will now open the bid to the United States and Germany.