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| By: Associated Press |
| Published: January 11, 2005 |
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The Israeli military on Tuesday denied reports that Israel had suspended an upgrade for drone aircraft it sold to China in the 1990s.
Rachel Niedak-Ashkenazi, spokeswoman for the Israeli Defense Ministry, said Israel had not returned parts to the Chinese military as earlier reported.
Several Israelis close to the deal had said Israel returned the parts without upgrading them in apparent deference to Washington's concern that the Harpy attack drones threatened Taiwan.
However, another Israeli official who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed Niedak-Ashkenazi's assertion that the parts are still in Israel. He said no decision has been made on what to do with them.
The drones are designed to locate and destroy radar installations and anti-aircraft batteries.
U.S. opposition to the Israeli sale and proposed upgrade has put Israel in the difficult position of having either to defy its main ally, or violate a trust with China, a market with considerable growth potential for Israeli high-tech and military exports.
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