U.S. Defense Firm Raytheon Offers AESA Radars To India; Looking For Tie-Ups

US defence major Raytheon is open to offering its sophisticated Active Electronically Scanned Array radar capable of tracking targets in the air and on the ground for India's fighter jet fleet provided the US government approves such a move, a top official of the company has said.

The technology and its applications can be adapted for different platforms, including new aircraft like the Light Combat Aircraft, and retrofitted on older aircraft like the Indian Air Force's existing fleet of jets, said Michael Henchey, director of business development for Raytheon's Tactical Airborne Systems. "The technology is scalable and we could scale the electronic antenna of the AESA radar to put it in the LCA," Henchey told a news agency in Paris on the sidelines of the Paris Air Show.

He, however, made it clear that the transfer of such technology would depend totally on negotiations between the Indian and US governments as well as the level of AESA radar technology that Washington would be willing to share with New Delhi. "It would all depend on the country to country negotiations," he said adding, the US State Department and the Pentagon would have to give their approval for such a proposal.

China Warns Israel Not To Sell AWACS To India

http://www.paknews.com

12-28-2001

BEIJING (PNS) - In a veiled attack on Israel, China on Thursday cautioned countries against doing anything that would endanger peace and stability in South Asia in the wake of reports that Israel was planning to sell advanced Phalcon Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) to India.

“We hope that the various countries will make their efforts to preserve stability and peace in South Asia,” Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue told reporters here when asked to comment on reports that Israel may sell the Phalcon AWACS system to India.

“There are some press reports that Israel wishes to sell the early warning system to some other countries. We have taken notice of that,” Zhang said.

The Phalcon radar, developed jointly by the US and Israel, can simultaneously track up to 60 targets over 800 km radius to support defensive and offensive operations.

China’s relations with Israel is reportedly under strain after the latter cancelled a firm order to sell Phalcon radar to the communist giant under strong US pressure in June 2000.

Commenting on Sino-Israeli negotiations on a compensation amount, Zhang said the talks are still continuing. As for the questions between China and Israel, the two sides are still holding consultations with each other.

We hope that the Israeli side will make positive efforts for the improvement of bilateral ties, Zhang said.

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