Aircraft
Israel Impedes Delivery of Boeing Wedgetail to Turkey
Delivery of operational Boeing Wedgetail AEW aircraft to the Turkish air force has been held up by an Israeli embargo, according to a leading Turkish newspaper. (Photo: Boeing)
Delivery of operational Boeing Wedgetail AEW aircraft to the Turkish air force has been held up by an Israeli embargo, according to a leading Turkish newspaper. (Photo: Boeing)

Israel had prevented Boeing from delivering two Wedgetail AEW&C aircraft to the Turkish air force, but has now agreed to lift its restriction, according to a November 9 report in the Turkish newspaper Hurriyet. AIN understands that the Elta division of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) provides the vital electronic support measures (ESM) system for all the Wedgetails sold to date–four to Turkey, four to Korea and six to Australia. Northrop Grumman provides the core AEW radar system. Both Boeing and IAI declined to comment on the matter. Boeing did say that delivery of the first Wedgetail to the Turkish air force is expected in the first half of next year.