Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) is seeking an official explanation for the re-opening of a Turkish spy satellite competition after it was told earlier this month that it had won the $270 million contract.
Immediately after IAI's contract win was leaked to the Turkish press, France's Alcatel protested to the Turkish ministry of defence and demanded to be allowed to submit a new offer.
IAI won the contract after reducing the price to $270 million earlier this month. Alcatel officials later visited the Turkish defence ministry and demanded to submit a new offer.
Israeli defence ministry officials say that allowing a losing competitor to submit a new bid after an official decision is "against all procedures".
Source: Flight International