Turkey gets U.S.-made surveillance plane to monitor PKK rebels July 14, 2012 - 21:13 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkey has received one of five surveillance planes that it ordered from the United States to monitor the activities of Kurdish militants in Southeastern Anatolia, but the remaining four aircraft are not expected to arrive until September, Hürriyet Daily News reported. Hawker Beechcraft was expected to provide the King Air 350 airplanes before the end of May, but only one jet has so far arrived, touching down last month. Ankara has taken out a two-year lease on the five aircraft for $70 million in the interests of augmenting its airborne capabilities in the struggle against members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). Buying the planes instead of leasing would be a cheaper option, sources from the Undersecretariat of Defense Industries (SSM) admitted. However, they preferred leasing due to time pressure, but they may consider buying similar planes in the future, the officials told the HDN.   Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads.   Partner news |  Latest news The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity  The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization.Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia.Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty.Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. |
