"Israel, Turkey discuss $1 billion military deal
By LAURIE COPANS
Associated Press
JERUSALEM - Israel and Turkey are negotiating a deal worth more than $1 billion for Israel to upgrade Turkish fighter planes and tanks, Israeli military officials said Monday.
Turkish military officials confirmed they were discussing a deal but said it was unlikely the Muslim country would sign an agreement for Israel to refurbish the tanks because Turkey was not satisfied with Israel's previous upgrades.
The deal will be a focus of a visit to Turkey this week by Israeli army chief of staff Lt. Gen. Moshe Yaalon, the officials said on condition of anonymity.
Defense Ministry director general Amos Yaron led a visit by Israeli officials to Turkey last week to discuss the deal.
Israel and Turkey signed a cooperation agreement in 1996 and Israel has since renovated almost 200 of Turkey's M60 tanks and dozens of F-4 fighter planes.
As part of the emerging agreement, Israel would update 44 F-4 fighter planes and more than 100 M60 tanks, the Israeli officials said.
The talks signal a desire by the countries' militaries to further strengthen relations that have flourished since the 1996 cooperation deal, the officials said.
But on the political level, Turkish-Israel relations had chilled with Israel complaining last year when Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused it of state terrorism against Palestinians.
A visit by Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul to Israel in January warmed ties.
Officials from both countries said Turkey is also interested in buying Israeli-made Harpy pilotless aircraft that can target radar stations.
Israeli weapons sales to Turkey have amounted to $3 billion since 1996, includi"
AP Wire | 01/31/2005 | Israel, Turkey discuss $1 billion military deal