IMI SEEKS U.S. PARTNER FOR NEW ASSAULT RIFLE

TEL AVIV [MENL] -- Israel Military Industries is negotiating with severalU.S. defense contractors for a proposed joint venture to manufacture andmarket the new TAR-21 Tavor assault rifle. The state-owned Israeli firm has completed development of the 5.56 mmTavor and hopes to sign an agreement with a strategic partner by the end ofthe year. Under the proposal, most of the Tavor would be produced in theUnited States in an arrangement that would allow Israel or any other U.S.ally to use military aid from Washington to pay for the purchase of therifle.