ISRAEL, INDIA MOVE TOWARD NEW DEFENSE PACT

LONDON [MENL] -- India and Israel are discussing a major weapons deal thatwould include upgrades of military platforms. Indian and Israeli defense industry sources said New Dehli has favoredIsraeli contractors for projects to upgrade India's T-72 and T-90 tanks aswell as improve artillery systems and procure ammunition. The sources saidnewcontracts for these projects could be signed during 2003.