The World - News from Nov. 25, 1987

Israel and the United States have begun negotiations for the supply of 75 U.S. F-16 jet fighters to Israel by 1991 at reduced prices, Israel’s Defense Ministry director, Gen. David Ivri, said. Ivri said the aircraft will be cheaper than the 75 F-16s Israel bought previously, since the new planes require fewer changes to their engines to meet Israeli needs. The negotiations grow out of Tel Aviv’s decision to drop its costly Lavi fighter project, which was financed largely by the United States. The Jerusalem Post quoted Ivri as saying the new F-16s would cost Israel $2 billion compared with at least $4.8 billion needed to develop and build 90 Lavis.