American Ground-to-air Hawk Missiles Arrive in Israel; Ready for Use

The ground-to-air Hawk missiles purchased by Israel from the United States were in place today at their specially prepared Israeli bases, and are ready for use, with Israeli crews trained for the purpose in the United States, it was officially announced.

“The Hawks will increase the Israeli army’s deterrent force,” Prime Minister Levi Eshkol declared today, as he and Israel’s other topmost defense chiefs inspected the installations.

The Hawks arrived recently at Haifa, brought to this country by a vessel owned by the El Yam Shipping Company, which had donated its services to the Government. On hand to watch the unloading of the missiles–which was done during the night–were Mr. Eshkol, Deputy Minister of Defense Shimon Peres, Chief of staff Yitzhak Rabin, and other army and defense ministry officials. From the docks, the Hawks were transported to the previously prepared sites.

It took four years from the time negotiations were first started with the United States Government for the purchase of the Hawks until their arrival here, Mr. Peres noted. In the interim, Israelis were being trained in the United States for the operation of these weapons. The Hawks, he stated, would greatly strengthen Israel’s anti-aircraft defense system.

Mr. Eshkol, after observing that Israel’s deterrent force has now been strengthened, added: “It is our aim to deter aggression, prevent attack on Israel and, at the same time, be prepared to repulse any attack. These Hawks have been integrated into our military security line as its major deterrent weapon against the enemy air force.” The missiles, he said, “are not the only babies possessed by the Israeli army. While we have them now, we shall see to it that other branches of the Israeli army are also strengthened,” he declared.