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Thursday, May 20, 2010     GET REAL

Obama okays upgrade of Israeli combat system used in 2009 war

WASHINGTON — The United States, in the first such approval granted by President Barack Obama, has agreed to help Israel's military upgrade an armored vehicle used during the war against Hamas in 2009.

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The move was regarded by officials as part of a charm offensive by the Obama administration, led by chief of staff Rahm Emanuel, to placate American Jews and Jewish members of Congress ahead of elections in November.

Under the project, Israel would be allowed to use tens of millions of dollars in U.S. aid to upgrade the Israeli-origin Achzarit heavy armored personnel carrier.


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Officials said this marked the first upgrade of an Israeli combat platform used in the war against Hamas in 2009. They said the Obama administration has rejected or withheld approval for the procurement or upgrade of such platforms, including the AH-64 Apache attack helicopters, to prevent another war in the Gaza Strip.

On May 17, the U.S. Defense Department awarded a $20.4 million for engine upgrade kits for the Achzarit. Under the contract to Diesel Engineering, based in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., the Achzarit engine as well as transmission and cooling systems would be enhanced.

A Pentagon statement said the project would result in a 20 percent increase in horsepower for the tracked Achzarit, introduced to the Israel Army in 1994. The APC, based on a Soviet-origin T-55 main battle tank, would also see a 200 percent increase in acceleration.

"This contract involves Foreign Military Sales to Israel — 100 percent," the Pentagon said.

Achzarit has been powered by either 650 horsepower Detroit Diesel 8V-71TA or 850 horsepower 8V-92TA engines. The platform, which contains a 60mm mortar, has been produced in several configurations, including infantry fighting vehicle and ambulance platform.

The Pentagon contract is expected to be completed by June 2013.



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