First Two Israel Aircraft Industries Upgraded Turkish Air Force F-4 Aircraft Arrive In Turkey
Jan 28, 2000
The first two Turkish Air Force (TUAF) F-4 Phantom aircraft, that were upgraded at Israel Aircraft Industries Ltd. (IAI) flew over to Turkey on January 21, 2000.
The TUAF team of pilots, who were involved in the flight test program, flew the aircraft to their base in Turkey.
Ovadia Harari, IAI's Executive Vice President & COO, speaking at the arrival ceremony in Turkey on January 27, said, "It is an honor for me to congratulate the Turkish Air Force on the delivery of the first two F-4s. The delivery was performed ahead of schedule, with system and radar performance exceeding the agreed upon specifications. These results were achieved by team working between the Israeli Ministry of Defense, the Turkish Air Force Program office and IAI."
The full upgrade program consists of 54 F-4 aircraft, of which 26 will be completed at IAI's Lahav Division and 28 aircraft will undergo modernization by the TUAF at Eskisehir Air Force Base in Turkey. IAI, the main contractor, and Elbit, a major subcontractor, together with other Israeli and Turkish industries, will supply a modernization kit to the TUAF.
Harari also stated that "IAI will meet the same timely manner its commitments for future deliverables of the program as well as fully support the Turkish Air Force in the performance of their part of the modernization program. No efforts will be saved in the transfer of technology and methodology this permitting an independent capability for the Turkish Air Force to support and improve the F-4 aircraft's fleet during the life cycle of the program."
The remaining part of the program, both in Turkey and Israel, is also ahead of schedule.
The Turkish Ministry of National Defense awarded the F-4 upgrade contract to IAI in August 1995. The total value of the program is $632 million.
Harari concluded his remarks by stating that "the same effort and dedication will be shown by IAI and its partners in meeting their commitments in the upgrade of the Turkish Air Force F-5s and other programs that IAI is proposing to the Turkish Ministry of National Defense. Let me assure you that customer satisfaction is IAI's number one priority in all programs that will be done together."
Harari also thanked the Israel MOD and Israel Air Force for their support on the program.
For more information, contact:
Doron Suslik
Deputy Corp VP for Communications
Tel: 972 (3) 93 5-8509
Fax: 972 (3) 935-8512
Email: hpaz@hdq.iai.co.il
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