Israelis were angered today by confirmed reports that a major American aircraft manufacturer is trying to sell combat jets to Ecuador after the U.S. government blocked the sale to that country of 24 Israel-made Kfir interceptors. Although talks are still going on with U.S. authorities to get the ban lifted, the Northrop Corp. reportedly began negotiations with the Ecuadorian air force for the sale of its F-5 jets.
Israelis were especially incensed because the American excuse for not approving the sale of the Kfirs to Ecuador was its long standing policy against the introduction of advanced and sophisticated combat aircraft to Latin America. The State Department offered that reason in a statement Monday which noted that this policy has been in effect for at least 15 years. The sale of the Kfirs to Ecuador requires ? U.S. re-export permit since the Israeli plane is powered by a General Electric engine.
Although Israeli sources acknowledge that chances for the $150 million sale to Ecuador now appear very dim, Israel Aircraft Industries which manufactures the Kfir said it is going ahead with preparations for the transaction. The anger against American interference in the deal was increased by the fact that the Ecuadorians selected the Kfir in competition with French Mirages and the U.S. F-5s.
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