The government’s decision to authorize the export of Israel’s new jet fighter, the “Kfir,” was made on the understanding that the low-priced combat aircraft, the first manufactured in Israel, would be offered on the world market only with the consent of and prior coordination with the United States. Reliable sources said that the Cabinet agreed unanimously at its Sunday meeting that the sale of the “Kfir” overseas was a matter to be settled with both the United States and with France whose Mirage V jet the “Kfir” resembles. The day when the supersonic “Kfir” will be offered for sale to foreign countries is apparently still far off. Israel Aircraft Industries, manufacturers of the “Kfir,” has yet to make preparations to expand production for export.
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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.