Jordan Times
Tuesday, June 9, 1998
'Jordan could sign military agreement with Turkey to train pilots, upgrade jet
fighters'
By Tareq Ayyoub
AMMAN — A top-ranking military officer Monday did not rule out signing
an agreement with Turkey that would allow air force pilots from the two countries to train
in each other's airspace.
Air Force Chief Major-General Mohammad Ababneh said that cooperation between the two air
forces, including a Turkish proposal to use each other's airspace for training, was
discussed during a recent visit by his Turkish counterpart, General Ilhan Kilic to the
Kingdom earlier this week.
“It is to the benefit of the Jordanian pilots to be trained in any part of the world,
including Turkish airspace,” said Maj. Gen. Ababneh. “But we have not reached an
agreement with the Turkish side on this,” he said, commenting on press reports out of
Turkey that a “preliminary” accord had been concluded.
A Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman told the French news agency (AFP) that although no
formal agreement was concluded, “the two countries were determined to boost
cooperation in defence fields.”
Maj. Gen. Ababneh indicated that military units in the two countries have exchanged visits
recently and have conducted training in both Turkey and Jordan in line with a military
agreement between the two sides.
Maj. Gen. Ababneh said that his Turkish counterpart expressed Ankara's readiness to assist
the Kingdom in “modernising” its 16 F-16 jet fighters, which Amman received from
Washington earlier this year as part of a military aid package.
“Turkey is one of few countries that has very good experience in maintaining and
modernising this type of jet fighters but no accord was reached on this matter,” he
said, pointing out that it was premature to discuss the issue since Jordan only received
the F-16s three months ago.
Maj. Gen. Ababneh emphasised that talks were continuing between the air forces to enhance
cooperation, a sensitive issue because of Turkey's close military links with Israel.
A Turkish newspaper said that Gen. Kilic, who also met with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs
of Staff Field Marshal Abdul Hafez Mirai Kaabneh during his short visit, also discussed
leasing two Turkish CN-235 light military transport aircraft to the Kingdom.
Maj. Gen. Ababneh dismissed criticism by some Arab states, which have urged the Kingdom to
halt any military coordination with Ankara.
Syria and Egypt criticised close Turkish-Israeli military relations, saying the alliance
targets Arab interests.
“Our training with the Turkish side is aimed at enhancing our experience. This is not
against any side, our position stems from our national commitments,” the air force
general said.
“We are conducting similar training with French, American, British and other troops,
and we usually invite observers from other countries, including Pakistan and some Arab
states, to attend such training,” he added.
Last December Turkey, the United States and Israel conducted war games at the eastern part
of the Mediterranean amid criticism from several Arab and Muslim countries, which saw the
exercises as a threat.
Jordan sent its naval commander to observe the five-day war games.
His Majesty King Hussein on Sunday dismissed the notion that Jordan is entering in a
military alliance with Israel and Turkey.
“It is not so much a question of an alliance,” the King was quoted as saying
following his one-hour meeting with Israeli Defence Minister Yitzhak Mordechai on Sunday.
“I do not think that it could be described as such. We have normal relations with
Israel, and we have extremely close relations with Turkey, so it is natural that we talk
and meet and our people meet to enhance the cooperation that exists,” the King was
quoted by Israeli reporters accompanying Mr. Mordechai.