Russia recently announced that it was suspending the sale of combat aircraft to Syria.
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is speeding up delivery of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles to Russia after the Russian government announced last week that it was suspending the sale of its Mig 31 fighter aircraft to Syria.
The deal worth $50 million was signed last month and Israel is now expected to deliver the first of the UAVs by the end of 2009. The development has enormous strategic importance for the Middle East with Israel strengthening its defense relationship with Russia, while Moscow seems to be weakening its defense relationship with Syria and Iran.
IAI is also expected to sell long range missiles to Russia.
At the same time sources close to the Indian Defense Ministry report that the Indian government is negotiating with IAI for the purchase of three AWACS aircraft for $1.35 billion. This is in addition to the three AWACS aircraft that the Indian government is currently buying from IAI for $1.1 billion.
India in talks to buy three more AWACS planes from IAI
India is negotiating the purchase of three additional AWACS surveillance planes from Israel Aerospace Industries, an Indian defense official said over the weekend. The estimated value of the deal is $1.35 billion.
The news comes just days before the expected delivery of the first of three Phalcon AWACS that India ordered in 2004 for $1.1 billion, the official said.
The Phalcon radar can track 60 targets simultaneously out to 350 kilometers, an Indian Air Force official said.
While awaiting the AWACS planes - Airborne Early Warning and Control Systems - the air force has been relying on unmanned aerial vehicles manufactured by IAI, including the Searcher-I, Searcher-II and Heron models.