El Mundo also said the Spanish defence ministry had informed the latter two camps the Israelis had got the nod.

"The choice of Rafael is a new reverse for the European defence industry which will complicate, according to MBDA, the Spanish army's interoperational possibilities with the French and German armies, in future European combat missions," said El Mundo, a conservative daily.

The paper quoted military sources as saying the Israeli missile Spike, which can be fired from a distance of four kilometres (2.5 miles) from the target and can be controlled in flight, fulfulled the technical criteria Spain was looking for to a greater degree than those of the rival bidders.

related report

Norway Signs Contract For Boeing JDAM
St. Louis MO Feb 20 - The Boeing Company will provide the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) weapon system to the Royal Norwegian Air Force (RNoAF) under an agreement recently reached with Norway.

The JDAM system will equip RNoAF F-16 aircraft with all-weather, autonomous, accurate delivery of bombs against a broad spectrum of targets. The contract includes JDAM guidance kits, F-16 weapon system integration and operational support.

"Our focus remains on incorporating technology into the latest JDAM model while reducing costs and continuing development of future enhancements," said Rick Heerdt, JDAM program manager for Boeing.

Norway is the fifth member of the European Participating Air Forces (EPAF) to select JDAM, resulting in a common weapon system across EPAF member nations. This JDAM contract also brings to 14 the number of international customers for this weapon system.

A GPS-aided, near-precision weapon, JDAM guidance kits are capable of guiding inventory warheads ranging in size from 500 to 2,000 pounds. JDAM has been used extensively in global operations by the U.S. Air Force and Navy.

Since 1998, Boeing has produced more than 140,000 JDAM guidance kits for the U.S. and 14 international customers.

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