Israel, Turkey Sign 70 Million Dollar Defense Contract
September 26, 1998 - 0:0
TEL AVIV Israel has signed a 70 million dollar contract with Turkey to upgrade 48 training jets for the Turkish Air Force, officials said Friday. The deal, the latest sign of growing military cooperation between the two governments, was signed with the Turkish Defense Ministry Thursday by the state defense firm Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI), electronics firm Elbit and Singapore Aerospace, IAI said.
The upgrade program will be carried out in Turkey over three years and involve improvements to the cockpit and avionic systems of 48 U.S.-made F-5 jets. We are very satisfied with this contract, especially since it was won over fierce competition from foreign companies, said IAI director Moshe Keret. Israel and Turkey launched a major military cooperation program in November 1996 with a 630 million dollar contract for the upgrading by IAI of 54 F-4E Phantom fighter-bombers for the Turkish Air Force. The two countries have also carried out joint naval maneuvers and air force training exercises under the cooperation pact, which has drawn sharp criticism from Arab states and Iran. (AFP)
The upgrade program will be carried out in Turkey over three years and involve improvements to the cockpit and avionic systems of 48 U.S.-made F-5 jets. We are very satisfied with this contract, especially since it was won over fierce competition from foreign companies, said IAI director Moshe Keret. Israel and Turkey launched a major military cooperation program in November 1996 with a 630 million dollar contract for the upgrading by IAI of 54 F-4E Phantom fighter-bombers for the Turkish Air Force. The two countries have also carried out joint naval maneuvers and air force training exercises under the cooperation pact, which has drawn sharp criticism from Arab states and Iran. (AFP)