The British government refused today to confirm or deny a press report that Britain is selling Israel hundreds of Centurion tanks to replace losses in the Yom Kippur War. A Whitehall spokesman said it was not government policy to discuss arms deals. According to the press report some 400 Centurions which were used by the British army are now being shipped to Tel Aviv where they are being re-equipped and re-fitted in Israeli factories. Israel lost about 600 of her 1700 tanks during the war and has been concerned by the build-up of military hardware in Syria and Egypt. The sale is believed to be worth some 30 million Pounds Sterling.
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