The Turkish government made a $14 million advance payment to Israel Military Industries (IMI) for the $670 million M-60 Patton tank upgrade order it finalized with the company last March. Some 170 tanks will be upgraded in the first phase of the project, reported Globes.
Fearing an emergence of anti-Israeli policies from the newly founded Justice and Development Party leadership in Turkey, IMI was concerned that the Republic would turn its back on the deal. However, the advance payment was taken as confirmation that cooperation remained on track.
Turkey has been Israel's chief regional ally since 1996 when the two countries reached a military cooperation accord, much to the anger of most Arab nations and Iran. Since striking the deal, the two countries have brokered several arms agreements, including a 750-million-dollar contract to upgrade F-4 Phantoms for the Turkish air force, and have taken part in joint naval maneuvers in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Turkey. — (menareport.com)
© 2002 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
