Bush administration officials are debating whether to allow Israel to sell the Arrow missile defense system to India, the Financial Times reported today (see GSN, Jan. 16).

Supporters of Israel in the administration and the U.S. military industry support the sale, but other administration officials are concerned it could increase tensions between India and Pakistan, according to the Times (see related GSN story, today).

The United States can block any proposed Israeli sale of the Arrow anti-ballistic missile system since Israel jointly developed the system with the United States, according to the Times.

“The U.S. government is reviewing Israel’s request to transfer the Arrow to India based on its merits and in accordance with U.S. laws, regulations, policy and its international commitments,” a U.S. State Department official said.

One U.S. commitment is the Missile Technology Control Regime, which prohibits an MTCR member from transferring technology for missiles capable of carrying a 500-kilogram warhead more than 300 kilometers.  Israel is not a member of the MTCR but has said it abides by its rules.

Israel has said the Arrow system is only defensive, but some U.S. officials believe the system includes technology that would help India’s offensive missile program (see GSN, April 30).

Israel also wants to sell the Phalcon warning and control system to India (see GSN, Jan. 15).  The United States has no veto right over a Phalcon sale but asked Israel to postpone the transfer during the current tense situation between India and Pakistan (Stephen Fidler, Financial Times, May 16).

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