Report: Elta resumes equipping Turkish spy jets

Israeli firm resumes production of measuring systems meant to be installed on Turkish aircraft, sources say

Ynet|Published: 11.09.12 , 19:36

An Israeli company has decided to resume the production of equipment meant to be installed on Turkish spy planes, the Hurriyet Daily News reported Friday, citing unnamed sources.

According to the Turkish paper, Elta Systems Ltd. was commissioned in 2002 to manufacture electronic measuring systems for four Turkish Boeing early warning and control aircraft. The deal was reportedly worth $100 million.

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But the Defense Ministry suspended the project six months ago, after Elta had already completed two of the devices.

The report postulates that the decision to renew the project may mean that Israel is putting an end to its two-year defense exports ban on Turkey. No confirmation could be immediately obtained from Israeli sources.

According to Hurriyet, Elta's decision followed pressure from Boeing. Elta is the only producer of the measuring systems for Boeing’s 737 aircraft, which are to be used as part of Turkey’s NATO forces.