KWIC September 16 Toronto: Next to Russia, Israel has now become the largest stronghold through which China obtains the Western military science and technology. As sources indicated, the Israeli companies of IAI and Elbit are competing with each other for the opportunity of improving the Chinese-made J7 3 fighter planes (originating from the MiG21MF). IAI has helped China refit the first Palcon AEW on the basis of the fuselage of the I176MD. At the latest, this refitted plane is expected to appear at the "October 1" Military parade in Beijing in 1999. In addition, IAI also has the privilege of refitting another three AEWs for China. This shows that in the end, there expects to be a total of four "Phalcon" planes in China.

In terms of refitting the MiG21 fighter planes, Elbit has also worked out its own plan of upgrading the MiG21 in competition with IAI's MiG21 2000. With the help from Romania, Elbit has engaged in the promotional activities. 75 MiG21 MFs of the Romanian air force have undergone the similar upgrading and have been equipped with the 2032M multi-functional radar. Now each weighs only 78 to 100 kilograms (depending on the size of the antenna) with the look-up detection range of 35 to 55 nautical miles (NM) and the look-down one of 30 to 45 nautical miles (NM) ( KWIC News).

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