Ankara's largest military deal with Israel, renovating tanks at $ 700 million
Israel-Turkey, Politics, 10/4/2002

The Turkish government on Tuesday ratified the largest military deal to be finalized by the Turkish army with the Israeli military industries. This deal in its first phase states to renovate some 170 Paton tank.

The preliminary phase of the deal providing for renovating the Turkish tanks is estimated at 700 million dollars.

The Israeli military industries made a study regarding the Turkish armored weapons which includes some 3000 tanks and proposed renovation of 900 of them.

The statement issued by the Turkish ministry of defense to ratify the deal came to end the state of tension the Turkish military industries have been witnessing since a long time. Arms deal between Israel and Turkey has always been leading to deepening strategic relations between the two countries.

In 1997 Israel had signed with Turkey two contracts to renovate Phantom planes at a cost of 600 million dollars and F 5 planes at a cost of 76 million. After the two said contracts, the two countries started joint military maneuvers and facilities for the Israeli air force to be trained in the Turkish airspace.

Observers say that the ratification of the Turkish government of this deal at this time in particular means sending the strongest message for the Arab states that there is "no alternative in Turkey for its relations with Israel."

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