Cougars will be used in fight aganist PKK

Turkey's buy of 20 Cougar AS 532 UL helicopters will help in the fight against the outlawed Kurdish Works's Party (PKK), officulas in Ankara have said.
Turkey, which traditionally attaches great importance to the co-production of equipment, in this case made a direct purchase costing $ 253 million because of the immediate needs of the Turkish armed forces, Defence Minster Nevzat Ayaz said.
The contact signed this month will come effect when the credit arrangements are formally agreeed in about two months time. This will include offsets worth $ 162 million.
An earlier agreement with Sikorsky provides for purchase and co-production of 95 Black Hawks under a $ 1,1 billion deal.
A high proportion of defence equipment supplied to Turkey is being used in operations against the PKK.
Turkey will receive an additional five AH-1W Super Cobra helicopters from January next year under a $ 64 million agreement which includes night vision equipment.
Turkey also intends to use unmanned air vehicles in its intensified campaign. Cross broder operations against PKK campos in northern Iraq contiune, with 19 terrorists reported early this month.

zurück zum Anfang