Israel is scheduled to receive a German consignment of two anti-missile batteries by mid-February, loaded with 128 rockets. The American Patriot defense systems, designed to intercept surface-to-surface guided missiles in mid air, were shipped out of Germany’s Nordenham port.
Jordan took delivery of six F-16 fighter jets on Wednesday, January 29. This is the first shipment of 16 aircraft, granted to the Arab state by the United States in 1997 as part of a $300 million military assistance program. The package also includes troop carriers, attack helicopters and military gear such as night vision goggles.
Jordan is also seeking to acquire an anti-missile battery before a possible US-led strike on Iraq. The Hashemite kingdom signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1994. During the 1991 Gulf war, Iraq targeted Israel with 39 Scud missiles. — (menareport.com)
© 2003 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
