A Harpy Compromise
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DID had covered the issue of Israel’s Harpy anti-radar UAV sale to China before, noting that it had stalled cooperation on the American F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program but that negotiations were ongoing. That situation now appears to be resolved. UAVs Blog links an article that reports:
“A compromise has been reached with the US over the Harpy anti-radar unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), produced by Israel Aircraft Industries Ltd. (IAI), which were sold to China. The Harpies China sent to IAI for what was called “repairs”, will not be upgraded, while the US has withdrawn its demand that Israel confiscate them…Sources in Washington said that following the Harpy compromise, technological cooperation in the JSF program would resume. They added that an announcement to this effect was possible during Minister of Defense Shaul Mofaz’s upcoming visit to Washington in July.”
See also this excellent analysis from the Jamestown Foundation re: the longer-term implications for the Israeli defense industry.
UPDATES: Resolution is ongoing, but it has been rockier than expected.
