September 22, 2000 Following is the text of the news release from the Department of Defense concerning a possible sale of aircraft equipment to Israel: (Begin text) NEWS RELEASE September 22, 2000 PROPOSED FOREIGN MILITARY SALE TO ISRAEL ANNOUNCED The government of Israel has requested a possible sale of 14 non-MDE Beech King Air B200CT/T fixed wing aircraft with engines, spare engines, spares and repair parts, engineering support, publications and technical documentation, U.S. government and contractor technical and logistics personnel services, and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $125 million. This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a friendly country, which has been and continues to be an important force for political stability and economic progress in Middle East. The aircraft will be deployed in a combat service support role, which will consist of troop transport movement and cargo transport. Accordingly, the aircraft will be equipped with communications relay stations and other associated communications and navigation support devices. Israel will have no difficulty absorbing these additional aircraft into their armed forces. The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not affect the basic military balance in the region. The prime contractor will be Raytheon Aircraft Co. of Wichita, Kan. Under this sale, the contractor will incur offset obligations under an existing industrial cooperation agreement. Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. government or contractor representatives to Israel. There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale. (End text) (Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov) NNNN
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