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Israel requests delay in fighter choice decision
June 6, 1999 (by
Lieven Dewitte) -
Israel has asked the United States to allow a one-month delay in its decision on the competition between Lockheed Martin Ltd. and Boeing Co for a $2.5 billion jetfighter tender.
Defense Ministry Director General Ilan Biran said Israel requested the delay in the deadline for signing a letter of agreement until August 20.
Israel's outgoing Defense Minister Moshe Arens last week put off a decision on the tender at the request of Prime Minister-elect Ehud Barak, who is expected to form a new government by early July. Under the terms of a U.S. Congressional decision that set guidelines for the sale, Israel has until July 20 to make its decision.
A defense ministry official said Arens was set to give the tender to Lockheed, which has offered Israel 50 single-engine F-16 fighters for $50 million each. Boeing is competing with its twin-engine F-15 for around $70 million each.
Arens said Barak, who has pledged to serve as defense minister as well as prime minister, wanted to review the offers and make the decision himself.
Israel's outgoing Defense Minister Moshe Arens last week put off a decision on the tender at the request of Prime Minister-elect Ehud Barak, who is expected to form a new government by early July. Under the terms of a U.S. Congressional decision that set guidelines for the sale, Israel has until July 20 to make its decision.
A defense ministry official said Arens was set to give the tender to Lockheed, which has offered Israel 50 single-engine F-16 fighters for $50 million each. Boeing is competing with its twin-engine F-15 for around $70 million each.
Arens said Barak, who has pledged to serve as defense minister as well as prime minister, wanted to review the offers and make the decision himself.
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