JERUSALEM (AA) - Turkish Minister of Defense Vecdi Gonul has completed his meetings in Israel and returned to Ankara this evening (Thursday). Gonul was in Tel Aviv upon an invitation by the Israeli Ministry of Defense.
During his stay in Israel, Gonul visited some military facilities and bases in and around Haifa.
Turkish sources indicated that the modernization of Turkish fighter jets and sales of long range unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) were discussed with the Israelis.
Amos Yaron, a high level official of the Israeli Ministry of Defense, has remarked that the good military ties between Turkey and Israel has been taken further by Gonul's visit.
Yaron said that they will do everything possible to develop cooperation with Turkey. ''Israeli pilots get trained in Turkey. At times, Turkish pilots get trained in Israel,'' told Yaron.
Previously, Israel modernized 54 F-4 planes of Turkey. The new agreement foresees the modernization of 44 more planes at an overall cost of 400 million U.S. dollars.
The issue of Heron long range UAV's also came up at the meeting of Gonul and Israeli officials.
Israel had modernized Turkish M-60 tanks and dozens of fighter jets after an agreement signed in 1996.
Turkey is the second biggest purchaser of Israeli military equipment and tools after India.
2005-05-05