Bush Approves Israeli Request For Air Trainers

WASHINGTON [MENL] -- The Bush administration has approved an Israeli request
for advanced air trainers.
The Defense Department has notified Congress of an Israeli request for
the T-6A Texan aircraft. The Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency,
in a proposed sale estimated at $190 million, said Israel has sought 25 T-6A
jets along with global positioning systems and inertial navigation systems.
"The IAF will use these new aircraft to modernize its air force and to
improve operational capability in coalition operations and exercises, and
contribute to a modern air defense network for the legitimate defense of
Israel," the agency said on June 9.
Officials said Congress, set to vote for a 25 percent military aid
increase to Israel, was expected to approve the latest request. They said
the T-6A, manufactured by Hawker Beechcraft, would replace the Zukit
aircraft fleet, procured in the early 1960s, in the Israel Air Force. The
Zukit is the Israeli term for the CM-170 Fouga Magister jet trainer.