July 11, 2008	Friday	Rajab 7, 1429

JERUSALEM, July 10: Israel displayed its latest spy plane on Thursday in what defence officials said was a show of strength in response to Iranian war games and missile tests.

The aircraft’s sophisticated intelligence-gathering technology and electronic warfare systems were developed by state-run Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and installed aboard a US-made Gulfstream G550 business jet.

The plane went on display at the IAI headquarters at Israel’s Ben-Gurion International Airport. The aircraft will also be put on display at the Farnborough Air Show in England next week.

Israel unveiled the plane last year, but defence officials said the aircraft went on display on Thursday in response to the war games under way in Iran.

“It has the most sophisticated early warning and intelligence devices to date and is capable of reaching all destinations required by the air force,” said IAI spokesman Assaf Dargan.—AP