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| Middle East |
| Israel threatens to shoot down Egyptian drones |
| 2003-12-22 |
| Israel has threatened to shoot down Egyptian drones spying on a nuclear facility and a ballistic missile site, The Sunday Times reported. Israeli sources claim that the flights contravene a peace treaty, signed in 1979 between the two sides. âWeâll raise the urgent issue of their spy flights for sure,â said one Israeli source. âHowever, we know that they may stop them only when we intercept the intruders, and that will not take long.â Egyptâs unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) have been seen in recent weeks over Israelâs nuclear research facilities at Nahal Sorek and the test site for Israelâs advanced ballistic missiles in Palmahim, south of Tel Aviv. Epypt has 48 R4E-50 Skyeye mini-UAVs and 50 Teledyne Ryan model 324 Scarab according to Google search. The Egyptian flights, in turn, are causing concern in Israel. âWeâre worried about them,â said an Israeli military source. Iâd guess that Israel will give Egypt a one-time warning to stop and then will shoot on sight. |
| Posted by:Steve |
| #4 Problem is, they're damned hard to hit. I'd recommend the Israelis grab a couple of small prop aircraft, equip them with a spread weapon, and shoot 'em down. Jets and combat missiles won't do it, and most choppers can't get that high. |
| Posted by: Old Patriot 2003-12-23 12:23:49 AM |
| #3 Are they talkin' about the FM here?... |
| Posted by: mojo 2003-12-22 1:43:30 PM |
| #2 "Israeli military sources"? Debka-like statement for sure...I don't think they would hesitate to shoot the first UAV that crosses the border |
| Posted by: Frank G 2003-12-22 10:50:04 AM |
| #1 Why bother warning them? It's their soveriegn airspace--they have every right to take them out and stop the drones from relaying any more intel back. I'm frankly disappointed that the Israelis, of all people, would tolerate this in the least, unless it's a one-time thing that caught them unaware--but "have been seen in recent weeks" doesn't sound like one isolated event. |
| Posted by: Dar 2003-12-22 10:42:16 AM |