Israel will sell 50 unmanned spy drones worth 220 million dollars to India, public radio reported Tuesday. The Heron drones can fly at an altitude of 30,000 feet (nine kilometres), are equipped with camera and surveillance technology, automatic takeoff and landing system and are suitable for all weather conditions, the radio said.

The 250-kilo drones can stay airborne for more than 40 minutes. Questioned by AFP, a defence ministry official refused to confirm or deny the report, saying only that the department did not release information about such armaments contracts.

After decades of cold relations, India and Israel have established strong military ties, illustrated by New Delhi's purchase of three Phalcon advanced air warning systems from the Jewish state in March 2004.

Under the terms of the agreement, Israel was to buy Ilyushin-76 cargo aircraft from Uzbekistan which would then be sent to Russia to be fitted with new high-powered engines.

After structural modifications, the aircraft were to be sent to Israel to be mounted with the Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) radar system and the complete aircraft delivered to India.

Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2005