U.S. eyes possible new trainer aircraft for Israel

[Scurrilous]

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"The Pentagon told the Congress on Monday that it was proposing to supply Israel up to 25 T-6A Texan trainer aircraft and related gear worth up to $190 million.

Principal contractors would include Hawker Beechcraft Corp and United Technologies Corp's' Pratt & Whitney unit, the Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a notice.

The T-6A would slash Israel's training fuel requirements 66 percent, the agency said.

Israel "has requested a possible sale" of the single-engine turboprop T-6A trainers to replace its Zukit fleet built in the early 1960s, according to the agency.

It also would boost "operational capability in coalition operations and exercises, and contribute to a modern air defense network for the legitimate defense of Israel," the Pentagon said."

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