RAFAEL weapon station (Illustration)
Arms deals frozen because of Chavez
Anti-Israel comments by Venezuelan president delay weapon deals with Israel
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez’s recent anti-Israel remarks have put a hold on big arms deals between Venezuela and Israel.
The Israeli defense establishment postponed the deals although they were worth tens of millions of dollars. A source at the defense establishment said Monday, “The things going on in this country have to be looked at.”
A huge deal was completed in recent years in which RAFAEL, Armament Development Authority Ltd., supplied a land model of the Barak sea-sea missile. The missile included a special radar system that allowed it to be used also as an advanced aerial defense system.
Venezuelan sources said that some of the systems were supplied. However, according to the deal RAFAEL was also supposed to supply Venezuela with other arms systems such as air-air missiles and air-land missiles.
Although most of the past arms deals were shared with European companies, they were based on Israeli arms systems.
RAFAEL said Monday that the company did not comment on international deals. The defense establishment refused to respond to the subject of selling arms to Venezuela.
