Javelin Would Be First Israeli Fighter Since Ill-Fated Lavi

Javelin has found a friend in the Israeli Air Force.

Together with Israeli Aircraft Industries, Aviation Technology Group (ATG) is developing the first new fighter Israel has produced since the Lavi project fell through in 1987.

"The Javelin will be unveiled at the upcoming Paris Air Show, and we expect the aircraft to take off for its maiden flight very soon," an IAI source told the Jerusalem Post. "Israel offered Colorado-based aircraft manufacturer Aviation Technology Group its hi-tech knowhow, marketing expertise and industrial facilities to develop and sell the military version of the Javelin jet."

The deal marks IAI's move back into a very exclusive market -- building entire aircraft rather than offering sub-assemblies and spare parts. "Both the Javelin advanced light combat jet and the Dhruv transport helicopter project we're now marketing with the Indians move us back into the exclusive military aircraft manufacturing club, something IAI has been looking forward to for many years," the Post source said.

(ANN Correspondent Dave Bender, in Jerusalem, contributed to this report)

FMI: www.avtechgroup.com