Israeli newspaper says Turkey poses greater threat to Israel than Iran
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – Israeli newspaper Maariv on Tuesday reported that Turkey represents a greater and more serious threat to Israel than Iran, citing Ankara’s possession of NATO’s second-largest military force and its achievement of nearly 80 percent self-sufficiency in defense production.
In an article examining Turkey’s rapid advances in the defense sector, the newspaper highlighted the significant expansion of Turkish military capabilities and defense industries in recent years.
The report also pointed to what it described as a growing divergence between the United States and Iran, while noting broader shifts in the regional security landscape.
According to the article, Israel has not yet recovered from the shock of changes in U.S. President Donald Trump’s approach toward some of Israel’s security requirements along its northern borders, before facing what it characterized as a potentially more dangerous challenge in the form of Turkey.
Maariv underscored the size and capabilities of the Turkish Armed Forces, noting that they operate a large fleet of tanks, including the domestically developed Altay main battle tank.
The newspaper said Turkey has built an advanced defense-industrial base capable of producing most of its military requirements domestically, while also developing a multi-layered air defense system using largely indigenous technology.
It added that the Turkish Air Force operates approximately 200 aircraft, the majority of them F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets, in addition to a fleet of multi-role attack helicopters.
According to Maariv, the most significant threat in any potential confrontation with Israel could come from Turkey’s naval forces, which include 16 submarines, several frigates, and the amphibious assault ship TCG Anadolu.