By JPOST.COM STAFF
If Israel fails to supply Turkey with Heron-type unmanned aerial vehicles, Ankara will fine Israel for three or four million dollars, as well as take the matter up with the International Court of Commercial Arbitration, the Turkish Today's Zaman quoted a top official at the Undersecretariat for Defense Industries as saying Thursday.
"Turkey plans to impose a heavy monetary penalty on Israel for the delay. If this country refuses to comply with the penalty, then Turkey will head to the International Court of Commercial Arbitration," the magazine quoted the official as saying.
Turkey agreed in 2005 to purchase 10 Heron UAVs for over $180 million from Israeli Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Elbit Systems, Ltd. Israel was expected to deliver four Herons in August, followed by another two and then the last four by the end of October, but has missed the deadline.
Turkish military officials reportedly told Today's Zaman earlier this week that the cancellation of a planned joint military exercise was in protest of the delay.
Israel said the delay was caused by the difficulty in the strengthening of Heron engines to enable local Aselsan-made electro-optical payloads (Aselfir300T) to be fitted onto the Heron UAVs.
Israel Radio quoted Israeli defense industry officials as saying this problem had now been overcome.
The Jerusalem Post could not confirm Today's Zaman's report.
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