Israeli drone
Photo: Michael Kramer
Russian military mulls buying Israeli drones
Purchase of aerial vehicles would mark first delivery of Israeli technology to Russia
Russia is negotiating with Israel to buy a batch of spy drones, the head of the Russian armed forces said Tuesday, in what would be its first ever purchase of military hardware from the Jewish state.
Israel sparked concern in Moscow after it previously sold drones to Georgia that were used successfully before and during its August war with Russia.
Russia's weapons industries have failed to supply the military with drones, developing only experimental models that experts have described as outdated.
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If finalized, the deal would mark an unprecedented delivery of Israeli military technology to the Russian military. During the Cold War years, Moscow supplied weapons worth billions of dollars to the Arab nations which fought Israel and barred Jews from living the Soviet Union.
Israel Aerospace Industries' spokesman Doron Suslik would not comment on Tuesday's report.
But Israeli defense officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of Russia-Israel ties, confirmed the Russians had asked to buy the drones and said that Israel is considering the request.
Israel Defense Ministry envoy, Amos Gilad, will head to Russia Wednesday to try to persuade Russia not to sell advanced air defense missiles to Iran, the defense officials said. Gilad will also discuss the drone sale in his talks with Russian officials, they said.
Russia's relations with Israel have improved steadily since the Soviet collapse, but some tensions remain.
Israel has been concerned that Russia could sell its enemies, Iran and Syria, advanced S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems. That would make any potential strike at Iran's first nuclear power plant - which Russia is helping to build - more difficult.
