Jerusalem: The United States has given the green signal to Israel for the sale of Phalcon airborne radar systems worth $ one billion to Indian Air Force, without any conditions or limitations, a media report said.

Clearing the long pending deal, Washington has withdrawn all objections and given Israeli Defence Ministry the green signal for the deal that US had earlier asked Israel to freeze in view of tense standoff between India and Pakistan, daily 'Ha'aretz' reported on May 22.

The US approval assumes significance in view of proposed visit of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to New Delhi in coming months.

When contacted, an Israeli Defence Ministry spokesperson said, "Israel was not aware of any US objections to the sale of the Phalcon radar systems to India." She did not give more details saying that negotiations were on about the deal.

Washington had earlier pressurised Israel into cancelling a similar signed deal with China in 2000 for the same weapons systems sparking a diplomatic crisis with Beijing.

PTI