NEW DELHI, India - The first of three Israeli-made Phalcon aircraft touched down at Jamnagar Airbase in western India on Monday.

The aircraft arrived some 18 months later than the originally scheduled delivery, with the next two planes slated to arrive in mid-2010.

The Phalcon, manufactured by Israeli Aerospace Industries (IAI), is equipped with state-of-the-art intelligence-gathering systems.

According to the New Delhi-based Hindustan Times, the Phalcon can lock in on 60 targets within a 250-mile range, giving India an aerial advantage over neighboring countries.

The newspaper report also noted that India may take advantage of more advanced systems being developed by IAI in future arms deals with Israel.

Source: YNet News