Defense Minister Ezer Weizman said today that the U.S. has agreed to permit Israel to export its second generation combat plane, to be known as the Lavie, which will be powered by a General Electric engine. Weizman made the disclosure on his return from Washington where he met with President Carter, Defense Secretary Harold Brown and other Administration and Pentagon officials.
American permission is needed for Israel to export any military plane it manufactures which incorporates American parts. Sales abroad of the first generation Israeli jet fighter, the Kfir, ran into difficulties on this point and several orders were last because of U.S. objections. According to Weizman, the new agreement will allow Israel to sell the Lavie to any country the U.S. sells to. This will open a huge market for the new aircraft.
Weizman said that Joseph Moayan, Director General of the Defense Ministry, remained in Washington to conclude a contract with General Electric for the Lavie engine. He said be expected no problems to arise with respect to the production of the plane and alerted its manufacturer, Israel Aircraft Industries, to prepare for the big job.
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