The Chinese Air Force jet that had been slated for comprehensive upgrading by Israel Aviation Industries (IAI), flew back home to China Monday morning, without the upgrade.
The Phalcon is an advanced radar aircraft with the ability to track at least 60 targets up to a radius of around 400 kilometers. All of the specialized equipment was removed from the aircraft prior to the flight, according to The Jerusalem Post.
Former US secretary of defense William Cohen expressed concern that its supply to Beijing 'could shift the balance of power [between China and Taiwan] and possibly involve us in some negative, adverse way.'
Taiwan's supporters in the US Congress vowed to punish Israel with aid cuts if it went ahead with the delivery of the Phalcons. Bowing to intense US pressure, Israel canceled the deal in the year 2000 after Beijing had already paid a $250 million deposit on the system.
China demanded Israel not only return its deposit, but pay an additional $1 billion in compensation.
Two months ago, following a long negotiation process, Israel announced it would pay China $350 million in compensation for the aborted deal. (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
