Israel’s supersonic fighter-bomber, the Kfir, made its debut in French skies at the International Air Show at Le Bourget Airport today. Tens of thousands of aviation experts, military personnel and spectators from 100 countries watched the two jets that flew in from Israel perform aerial acrobatics to display their maneuverability and climbing capabilities.
For the duration of the air show, one Kfir will remain on the ground for close inspection and the other will perform in the air. This is the first time the Kfir has been displayed abroad. It was barred from the Le Bourget Air Show in 1975 and from the British air show at Farnsborough last fall. The purpose of the air show is to market military and commercial aircraft and related hardware. While the world’s experts were gathered here, the entire air show is being held this year against a background of economic uncertainty, reduced defense budgets and anticipation of the next generation of combat planes.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
