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India buys Israeli missiles for $270 million

SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Tuesday, February 6, 2001

TEL AVIV — Israeli has sold its first sea-based missiles to India in a $270 million deal.

The sale of the Barak-1 point defense system by Israel Aircraft Industries is said to break a monopoly by Russia on such weapons, defense sources said. The Barak-1 has been sold to several countries, including Chile.

The Barak-1 is meant to defend ships from enemy cruise and sea-skimming missiles as well as aircraft.

The disclosure of the deal comes on the eve of Israel's participation in the military exhibition in India. New Dehli has become one of Israel's biggest defense clients.

Israel has also sold unmanned air vehicles in deals that total $300 million. Procurement of the UAVs will begin in 2002 and will be used for reconnaissance in the disputed Kashmir region and along the border with China.

In an unrelated development, a leading Israeli defense contractor has completed an upgrade of helicopters for the United Nations.

Elbit Systems Ltd., based in Haifa, said its wholly owned subsidiary, Cyclone Aviation Products Ltd., has completed the repair and upgrade of two UN helicopters, based in Cyprus. The Bell-212 helicopters were flown by the company's test pilots and were delivered, after careful final inspection, to the United Nations.

The project was estimated at about $1 million.

Executives said the upgrade included the installation of communications and command, control and navigation systems. This included systems to allow for landings in heavy fog or sand storms. The upgrade also included the overhaul of the helicopter's structure.

Cyclone provides maintenance support and upgrades to various aircraft and helicopters for the Israeli military. The company's list of customers includes Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Vought, Bell Helicopters and Sikorsky.

Tuesday, February 6, 2001


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