TURKISH DEFENSE FIRM BUYS STAKE IN AYESAS

ANKARA [MENL] -- A Turkish firm has bought a majority share in a leadingU.S.-Turkish military contractor. The defense subsidiary of Vestel has acquired a 60 percent stake in theAnkara-based Ayesas. Ayesas, developer of Turkey's first air defensesystems, was the first contractor to be awarded a project for the JointStrike Fighter.