According to the weekly "Defense News", Israel and Turkey have reached an agreement in principle to jointly produce the Popeye II air-to-ground missile for the Turkish Air Force.
According to the plan, the firm will also sell Turkey Popeye I missiles, Popeye II’s previous version, for use on Turkey’s F-4 Phantoms now being upgraded by the Israel Aircraft Industries.
The first deal was clinched in a meeting between Minister of Defense Yitzhak Mordechai and his Turkish counterpart, in the beginning of May, following two years of negotiations. The Ministry of Defense spokesman did not respond to "Defense News" questions concerning joint production. Rafael (Israel Armament Development Authority) spokesman confirmed that there is an unsigned agreement for the joint production of Popeye.
"Defense News" wrote that according to the plan, Israeli and Turkish contractors will set up a joint company to produce the Popeye II, if Ankara decides to equip Turkish Air Force F-16s with the missile. It is not certain that the Popeye II will be chosen, but the Turkish Army has had its eye on it for some time, according to the weekly.
According to a Turkish Ministry of Defense official: "Popeye II missiles will substantially improve the attack capabilities of the Turkish Air Force F-16s. Until now we have not had sophisticated equipment".