The cancellation of this deal is seen as a sever blow to the Israeli Aircraft Industries, which constitutes, together with other weapons’ industries, a major source of income for Israel. The Turkish government has canceled a deal to upgrade fighter jets worth USD 500 million because of the war in Lebanon, leaving Israel at fear that more deals could be canceled.
‘s interest in Israeli military products has long been considered as a "goldmine" in
" was conceived as a replacement for and
It is not new for to have military cooperation with . In 1997 signed an agreement with for the upgrading of 54 Phantom aircraft at the cost of USD 1 billion.
The deal was concluded in 2003 and
"They are old costumers, and the cancellation of the deal is a very bad sign," Ynet News quoted a senior military official as saying on Monday.
Yet, since the war in opposition parties in have increased pressure on the government to cut military ties with
However, apparently, war on was not the only motive behind canceling this deal as is weighing the purchase of new F-16 jets from the
Before the war on , has boycotted military exercises because is taking part in these exercises.
