Gli Usa Vs Israele Sul Caccia F-35a

[capitanamerica7]

U.S. freezes Israel out of jet fighter development as punishment for military ties with China
Associated Press (April 17, 2005)

JERUSALEM - U.S. defense officials have frozen Israel out of the development of a prestigious jet fighter aircraft as punishment for its military cooperation with China, Israeli defense industry executives said Sunday, underscoring American sensitivity about the growth of Chinese military power.

Israel was one of the principal foreign participants in the development of Lockheed Martin Corp.'s F-35, which is viewed as the American aircraft of the future. Priced at about US$55 million (euro42 million) each, the plane is designed to combine supersonic speed with stealth technology at relatively bargain-basement prices.

The U.S. Air Force plans to take delivery of the first F-35s in 2008.

Israeli defense industry executives said the American decision was related to displeasure over Israeli arms deals with China, including its work on Harpy unmanned aircraft, acquired by China from state-owned Israel Aircraft Industries in the early 1990s. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity, citing the sensitivity of the matter.

There was no immediate comment from American officials on the report.

The Israeli Defense Ministry would not confirm or deny it. "We are in the midst of a dialogue with the United States and hope that within its framework understandings will be reached soon," a ministry spokeswoman said.

Parts of the Harpy drones were shipped to Israel last year for what American defense officials say was an upgrade of their capability to locate and destroy enemy radar installations on the basis of electronic signals.

The U.S. fears the Harpys could be deployed during a Chinese invasion of Taiwan, which Washington has pledged to defend.

Israel denies the American contention, saying the Harpy units were undergoing routine maintenance. However, Israeli military officials say, in the wake of American objections, work on the Harpy deal has been frozen.

Israeli officials say the focus of American anger is Israeli Defense Ministry Director General Amos Yaron, whom the Pentagon accuses of duplicity in covering up the extent of Israeli-Chinese military ties.

Yaron is expected to leave his post this year. Israeli officials say they hope that after his departure, American anger on the alleged China-Israeli defense ties will recede.

Analysts of Chinese military development say the U.S. is doing its utmost to prevent China from acquiring equipment that could be used in an invasion of Taiwan.

In recent weeks the White House has warned European countries not to lift a boycott on China arms sales, imposed after Chinese authorities put down a student-led rebellion against Communist rule in 1989.

Earlier this year, the National People's Congress, China's rubber stamp parliament, passed a resolution authorizing the use of force if Taiwan declares itself an independent state. The self-governing island split from China at the end of a protracted civil war in 1949.

[Lorenzo]

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