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Syria's MiG-21s, MiG-23s and MiG-25s, although relatively stripped-down export models, do have ECM gadgets, early-warning systems and air-to-air missiles. But their electronics are not as precise and powerful as the U.S.-Israeli counterparts. Israel also had available an even more powerful electronic back-up system: four U.S.-built E-2C Hawkeye surveillance planes, each able to track 250 enemy aircraft up to 300 miles away. In addition, Israel's pilots are among the best in the world. No fighter pilots have more intensive training—in ground practice with computerized simulators, in mock air battles against captured MiGs and in actual combat. If the Israeli claims that they destroyed 79 Syrian aircraft in last week's battles while losing only one themselves are to be believed, the training has paid off.