Turkey Signs Deal For New Military

[kurd-l at burn.ucsd.edu]

From: Arm The Spirit <ats at locust.cic.net>
Subject: Turkey Signs Deal For New Military Helicopters

Turkey Signs Helicopter Deals With German-French; U.S.

Associated Press, 02/13/97

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) - Turkey signed a
$113 million deal Thursday to buy four Sea
Hawk helicopters from Sikorsky Aircraft and,
separately, reached a $430 million dollar
agreement with the German-French Eurocopter
consortium. 

Turkey would co-produce 28 Cougar transport
helicopters with Eurocopter and buy two others.

Turkey's use of helicopters in its war against
Kurdish rebels seeking autonomy and its tense
relations with neighboring Greece have delayed
past arms transfers from the United States. 

Last November, angered by the U.S. delays,
Turkey canceled the purchase of 10 Cobra
attack helicopters. The delivery of three former
U.S. frigates also has been held up by
Congress. 

Sea Hawks and Cougars cannot be be used as
attack helicopters. Sikorsky is based in
Stratford, Conn.