The Turkish military has received a delivery of 54 new unmanned combat air-vehicles (UCAV) from its strategic ally Israel. The shipment is part of the initial defense deal signed between the two states in 1996 for the purchase of 108 UCAV’s valued at $76 million, reported Hurriyet. The remaining 46 UCAV’s are scheduled to be delivered within the next few months.
Turkey tied the arms deal to a long-delayed water purchase agreement, recently finalized between the two states. Israel’s purchase of 50 million cubic meters of water per annum will bring in between $800 million and one billion dollars to the Republic over the contract’s 20-year term.
The UCAV has a range of 400-500 kilometers and can carry several types of bombs up to a 23-kilogram capacity. Controlled by radio from the ground, the vehicle can fly non-stop for two months and hit missile installations and enemy air defense radars. — (menareport.com)
© 2002 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
