F-16 fighter jets for sale
December 30, 2003
Assault helicopters, F-16 fighter planes and tanks are all
available at knock-down prices in an end-of-year sale being staged
by the Israeli army, the Yediot Aharonot daily reported
today.
The defence ministry has released a catalogue of military hardware
which has been taken out of service and is deemed surplus to
requirements.
Although prices are not published in the catalogue, the guide makes
it clear that the starting price for even the smallest item is
$US50,000 ($A67,439).
The annual sale is expected to be worth some $US100 million
($A134.88 million) to the army which is facing major budget
restraints amid the continuing economic downturn in Israel.
Any would-be purchasers must first prove that they have no
connection with organisations hostile to Israel.
Sales of weapons systems produced in the US must also be approved
by Washington to ensure that they do not fall into "enemy
hands".
Agence France-Presse
