Israel: $141 million defense contract with Turkey called off
In a dramatic move sure to affect the strained relations between both countries, the Israeli Ministry of Defense announced today that an ongoing defense deal between Israel and Turkey for the sale of state-of-the art, electro-optic aerial intelligence systems has been dropp.
Officials in Jerusalem have decided to cancel a $141 million defense deal with Turkey, saying they were concerned that Ankara could hand over cutting-edge intelligence equipment to third parties hostile to Israel.
A defense official stressed that the relationship with Turkey is very important to Israel, but added that “at the same time we have security responsibility for every product that receives an export license.”
“Decisions on this matter have to do with the specific system, rather than with the overall relationship,” the official said.
It’s worth noting that while it might seem relatively small in the grand scope of global defense industry activities, the deal in question - headed by Israel Aerial Industries (IAI) and Elbit Systems and whose origins stem way back in 2000 - was one of importance in the Israeli defense establishment. Industry officials have noted that the cancellation is unprecedented and are uncertain as to the potential repercussions, both with regards to the companies involved, as well as with the problematic and deteriorating relations between both countries.