Israel is trying to prevent the United States from selling advanced weapons systems to Saudi Arabia and Egypt, Israel's Army Radio reported Thursday.
Israel is particularly trying to block the sale of bombs equipped with the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) system, which is intended to provide accurate delivery of conventional bombs in adverse weather conditions, according to the report.
"Countries bordering Israel must not get such bombs," Israeli sources were quoted as saying.
Israel also expressed opposition to the sale of missile and Apache helicopters to Egypt and Saudi Arabia, the radio reported.
Yuval Steinitz, chairman of the Israeli Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, told the radio he was concerned from Egypt's "wild" military build-up, and he is in contacts with American security officials on that issue.
Steinitz added the Egyptian army is undergoing an accelerated modernization process, consisting mainly of absorbing advanced American weapon systems. He added that he fears these weapons would be directed in the future towards Israel. (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
