India's defense minister in Israel for a close look at Phalcon early-warning system

TEL AVIV — India's leading defense procurement chief is examining the prospect of new weapons purchases from Israel.

The focus of the Indian review, Israeli officials said, is the Phalcon airborne early-warning system.

Indian Secretary of Defense Yogendra Narain began a four-day visit on Monday, where he met with senior Israeli defense officials. Narain, who directs the Defense Ministry, is the guest of his Israeli counterpart, Defense Ministry director-general Amos Yaron.

"This is an important visit," a senior defense source said. "He will be briefed on everything and will examine a range of Israeli offers."

Narain is scheduled to tour leading Israeli defense plants. These include Israel Aircraft Industries and its subsidiary, Elta Electronics Industries and Rafael, Israel Armament Development Authority.

The Indian defense official will also meet Israeli Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer, Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Shaul Mofaz and National Security Council chief Uzi Dayan.

Israeli and Indian defense sources said Narain's chief aim is to examine Israeli defense systems. The focus is the Phalcon system. The sources said New Dehli is examining the feasibility of the system before negotiations on price begin.