Turkey seeks Israeli radars for Kurdistan border

Sensory system developed by Dimona-based firm meant to boost security along Turkey's border with Kurdistan

Ofer Petersburg|Published: 08.28.10 , 08:08

A government-owned Turkish company has approached an Israeli company that develops radars systems aimed at defending nuclear reactors and border fences, the Yedioth Ahronoth daily reported Wednesday.

The Turkish company has looked into the possibility of purchasing BiScopic Protection system, a high performance stereoscopic vision sensory system for the detection of perimeter intrusion, from Dimona-based Magna BSP Ltd. to boost security along Turkey's border with Kurdistan. Kurdish infiltrations into Turkish territory have increased as of late.

The system, which was was developed by Magna in cooperation with the Nuclear Research Center and the Ministry of Defense, is used by the IDF.

Magna CEO Haim Siboni confirmed that the Turks approached his company. "This just proves that reports of a Turkish boycott (on Israeli goods) don't hold water," he said.

"Israeli security products being sold to the global market are irreplaceable. They may not like us, but they buy from us. As far as the Turks are concerned, we can close the deal tomorrow. But we won't do anything without authorization," Siboni added.

Magna's system is currently installed in nuclear reactors in Japan and India. In Israel, the system is used by security personnel at Ben Gurion Airport and Jerusalem's Temple Mount complex.