France and Israel are set to declare the signing of the biggest weapons deal between the two countries since the French embargo on weapons sales to Israel prior to the 1967 War, The AP reported.
The $150-200 million deal, to be inked during the Eurosatory 2004 international exhibition for land and land-air defense that opened Monday at Villepinte, north of Paris, will commission Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) to sell expertise for the manufacture of drones for France's major defense industries, combat aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation and the European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company (EADS).
According to the terms of the deal, IAI will supply the expertise to manufacture the Eagle 1 drone, whose development is based on the strategic drone now in the service of the Israeli Army. Three years ago, IAI sold this type of drone to the French army as part of cooperation with EADS.
Now, with the encouragement of the French Defense Ministry, a consortium of French industries is to be set up to manufacture drones in France - for, among other purposes, export to other states. (menareport.com)
© 2004 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
