MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Turkey looks to purchase advanced unmanned aerial vehicles (UAM) technology as well as reconnaissance and surveillance systems from Israel in the latest thaw in Turkish-Israeli enmity, local media cited military sources as saying Thursday.
Media reports emerged last week suggesting that diplomats reached understanding on the outlines of a reconciliation agreement five years after the so-called Freedom Flotilla incident severely damaged Turkish-Israeli ties. In the 2010 incident, 10 Turkish nationals were killed when Israeli commandos raided the six-ship flotilla, including the flagman MV Mavi Marmara, attempting to break Israel’s Gaza blockade.
The Freedom Flotilla incident caused the mutual cancellation of several defense contracts, including a 2008 deal to upgrade Turkey’s aging F-4 Phantom interceptor fleet, and impeded maintenance of Heron drones purchased in the mid-2000s.
The sides are also said to be discussing energy projects involving natural gas transportation from Israel to Turkey.
