http://www.santiagotimes.cl/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=17621:us-authorizes-sale-of-german-missiles-to-chile&catid=19:other&Itemid=142
Santiago Times November 16, 2009 U.S. AUTHORIZES SALE OF GERMAN MISSILES TO CHILE The Deal Could Cost As Much As US$145 MILLION -Also last week, the Pentagon endorsed two other possible defensive arms sales for Chile's army. The first purchase would include six new Sentinel radar systems and six SINCGARS radio systems, at a cost of US$65 million. The second deal could include 36 Avenger planes and 390 ground-to-air missiles at a cost of US$455 million. Seven months after Chile's Defense Minister expressed interest in purchasing a fleet of used (U.S. made) F-16 Fighter Jets from Holland, the U.S. government helped seal the deal by supporting Chile’s bid to buy missiles for the jets. In a notice sent last week to the U.S. Congress, the Pentagon approved the sale of 100 AIM-120C-7 missiles from the U.S. to Chile, a purchase that could cost about US$145 million. The Medium-Range, Air-to-Air missiles - which can destroy planes up to 100 km away - are expected to be used by fighter-bomber jets in Chile's Air Force (Fach). If Chile completes the deal, it will join Brazil as the only nations in South America to own these kinds of air-to-air missiles. Ten years ago, Peru acquired a Russian version of the same armaments, stirring up a balance of military power controversy with Chile. .... Now that the deal has the Pentagon's stamp of approval, it awaits final approval from U.S. Congress. If it is approved, Chile will have the go-ahead to finalize the deal with Holland. Also last week, the Pentagon endorsed two other possible defensive arms sales for Chile's army. The first purchase would include six new Sentinel radar systems and six SINCGARS radio systems, at a cost of US$65 million. The second deal could include 36 Avenger planes and 390 ground-to-air missiles at a cost of US$455 million. .... Chile’s effort to upgrade and modernize its defense systems has been sharply criticized by Peruvian President Alan Garcia - who is currently attending the APEC summit in Singapore with Chilean President Michelle Bachelet. He has accused Chile of starting a Southern Cone arms race. News of the possible arms deal comes just as another high profile military story is in the news, that of a a Peruvian Air Force intelligence official allegedly spying on Chile’s behalf. =========================== Stop NATO http://groups.yahoo.com/group/stopnato Blog site: http://rickrozoff.wordpress.com/ To subscribe, send an e-mail to: [email protected] or [email protected] Daily digest option available. ==============================
