IAI’s press release :

Israel Aircraft Industries and Indian Ministry of Defense Sign $1.1 Billion Contract For Three Airborne Early Warning Aircraft
Mar 5, 2004
Moshe Keret, IAI’s President & CEO stated: “IAI has a proven experience in Airborne Early Warning systems. We are pleased that the Indian Air Force has chosen us as a partner for this program”

Ben-Gurion Int’l Airport, Israel, March 5, 2004 – Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) and the Indian Ministry of Defense signed a $1.1 billion contract in New Delhi, India, on March 5th, 2004, for the sale of three Airborne Early Warning (AEW) aircraft to the Indian Air Force.

At the signing ceremony, IAI’s President & CEO, Moshe Keret, said: “This contract was achieved after very positive efforts in the political, marketing and engineering areas. IAI and Elta have a proven experience in AEW systems. We are pleased that the Indian Air Force has chosen us as a partner for this program. This contract will strengthen the bond between IAI and the Indian Ministry of Defense and Indian industry.”

The early warning electronic subsystems were designed and manufactured by IAI’s Elta Systems Group and Subsidiary. They will be installed onboard three Russian IL-76 aircraft and will include radars, electronic intelligence systems and communications equipment. Aircraft mission will include tactical surveillance of airborne targets and gathering of Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) missions.

Elta has proven experience in the development of AEW systems, including the Chilean Air Force Condor aircraft, which has been operating in service since 1995.

Shimon Eckhaus, IAI’s Corporate VP for Marketing & Business Development said: “After many years of coordinated effort, we take pride in signing this contract for the supply of the three AEW aircraft to the Indian Air Force.”

Israel Livnat, IAI’s Corporate VP and President of Elta Systems, Israel Livnat, said: “Signing this contract is full recognition of Elta’s state-of-the-art technologies and Elta’s position in developing electronic defense systems. The Indian Air Force will receive an excellent product, which will assist in safeguarding India. I would like to acknowledge and congratulate all of the people who have worked hard to make achieve this contract signing.”

Originally posted by flex297
Somehow I see the Yanks cannot swallow the fact that they got any kind of serious competition. Now the Flankers and Typhoons and Rafales came.. Until the JSF comes they got nothing serious to offer on the world markets except updated 30+ yr old Eagles and Lawndarts which were not that perfect airframes anyway.. Yeah, and the (in)famous Superbug.. Live with it, boys, it’s gonna get only worse..

I think it would be most prudent to wait until any of the abovementioned aicraft achieve anything resembling the combat success of the F-15 or the F-16’s export success before kicking off with the bravado …

Right, for a long time the story had been that the Nesher was the product of Israeli reverse engineering of the Mirage V. In recent years, however, evidence has come to light that the Neshers were in fact Mirage Vs, delivered by USAF C-5s despite an official French embargo. Nesher 501, currently residing in the IDF/AF Museum, has plates with ‘Aerospatiale’ stamped upon them. A great deal about the transaction still remains unknown though, for the parties involved haven’t officialy said anything about it. It’s rather amazing that they’ve managed to pull this off for so long.

As for IDF/AF aces, there are about 35 of them. Top scoring was Giora Epstein with 17 kills, followed by Avraham Salmon with 15.5. Iftah Spector is among the first five, with 12 kills, though some of these were achieved with the F-4. Osprey has just published a book about the subject :Israeli Mirage III and Nesher Aces .
Ezer Weizman may have flown the Mirage at times, but he was hardly an active Mirage pilot. He was IDF/AF commander at the time they were introduced into the force.

You disappoint me, I just wanted to know whether we’re in good company. 😎

… and here it is …

A twin-seat Kfir, a recent arrival at the museum.

Last one.