NEW ISRAELI F16I SUFRA FIGHTERS ARRIVE IN ISRAEL

epa00138284 An Israeli Air Force F-16I jet fighter takes off after touching down briefly at the Ramon Air Force Base in the Negev Desert as Israel takes possession of two of the newest jet fighters in a ceremony on Thursday, 19 February 2004. The two jets flew from Texas to Israel with a stop over for fueling in the Azore Islands. The F-16I, or “Sufra”, Hebrew for ‘Storm’, is a joint Israeli-American fighter with Israel supplying the core avionics. The jet has a sophisticated radar system, a satellite communications system and anti-missile electronic warfare system as well as an improved pilot’s helmet with a night vision system. EPA/JIM HOLLANDER