Israel & Turkey: Reunited by Heron Aircraft

The Turkish newspaper Hurriyet reports that the "Heron crisis", the unmanned aircraft that were supposed to be delivered by Israel to Turkey in May 2008, has been resolved. The first six Herons, out of a total of 10 to be shipped, will be delivered to Ankara in April, with a formal announcement likely duing Israel's Defense Minister Ehud Barak's visit to Ankara in January.

Initially, the delay in the deal was technical --- the Israelis said that the Herons would climb to 30,000 feet, but the actual altitude was 22 thousand feet --- but the more significant complication was the tension between the two countries after Israel's offensive in the Gaza Strip last December.

Meanwhile, Muharrem Dortkasli, director-general of the Turkish Aerospace Industry stated that Israel Aerospace Industries and Elbit will pay a penalty of between $10 million and $15 million to retain the contract after the two-year delay in compleition.