The report warned that Israel has lost Turkey as a strategic ally.
Ben-Yishai said the government and military were seeking a substitute for
Ankara, a task that would prove difficult.
[In Ankara, Turkish industry sources said Ankara has ruled out awarding
Israel any major defense contracts. The sources said the Defense Industry
Undersecretariat was expected to significantly reduce Israel's presence
after at least one key contract was scheduled to conclude in 2010.]
In many cases, Ben-Yishai said, Turkey has selected inferior and more
expensive systems than those offered by Israel. He cited an Italian
reconnaissance satellite, which was chosen over an offer of Israel's
Ofeq-class spy satellite.
"Only recently, officials in Ankara preferred to purchase a spy
satellite from Italy, even though it is inferior in quality and more
expensive than the Israeli product offered to Turkey," Ben-Yishai said.
"Israel has indeed embarked on a process of seeking substitutes to the
strategic advantages offered by the relationship with Turkey," Ben-Yishai
said on Oct. 14. "However, this process is difficult and complex, and it is
doubtful whether it will compensate us for the lost ties with Ankara."
The report said the loss of Turkey as a strategic ally has harmed
Israel's deterrence, particularly toward Iran and Syria. But Ben-Yishai said
the Israel Air Force would not be significantly affected by Turkey's
decision to ban the Jewish state from the Anatolian Eagle exercise.
"Turkey is not the only region where the IAF can hold drills simulating
various combat scenarios — long-range missions, operations in unknown
territory, and cooperation with foreign forces," the report said.
"Nonetheless, the decision to cancel Israel's participation in NATO's aerial
drill in Turkey must serve as a glowing warning sign in respect to the
strategic and economic implications that may follow our growing diplomatic
isolation."
