Pentagon agrees to sell three attack helicopters to Turkey

[alp227]

Source: Wash. post

The Pentagon has agreed to sell three attack helicopters to Turkey and is trying to persuade Congress to sell highly coveted Predator or Reaper drones to its increasingly influential ally in the Middle East, defense officials said Tuesday.

Turkey has sought for years to purchase the helicopters and drones for use against Kurdish militants in northern Iraq but has had difficulty winning approval from Congress. Some U.S. lawmakers have been reluctant to part with sensitive drone technology and are concerned by Turkey’s worsening relations with Israel.

In recent weeks, however, the Obama administration has achieved some breakthroughs in its attempt to solidify security ties with Turkey, a NATO ally and a reemerging economic and military power in the Middle East.

On Friday, the Defense Department notified Congress that it would sell three AH-1W Super Cobra helicopters and parts to Turkey for $111 million. While Congress could still block the sale, it would have to do so within 15 days. Key lawmakers have given tacit approval.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/pentagon-agrees-to-sell-three-attack-helicopters-to-turkey/2011/11/01/gIQAm9BadM_story.html

[Arctic Dave]

1. To use against the Kurds?

The same Kurds we admonish Iraq and Iran for suppressing? Our hypocracy knows no bounds.

[TheWraith]

2. To guard against Syria. nt

[Ralph Spoilsport]

3. To make a few bucks

[Arctic Dave]

4. With three helicopters?

Syria has a good AA system and STA missiles. Three helicopters won't last very long against that.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

5. So what? When those are destroyed, we'll sell them three more

Business is booming.

:hi:

[Arctic Dave]

6. I think you solved the puzzle. :) nt

woops.

[Celefin]

7. Of course.

The Kurds in northern Iraq want autonomous control over the oil resources under that region.
Probably makes them a little less popular.

And the Kurdish minority in Turkey demands representation.
Like, complicating things. Democracy and all that stuff.
Having their own country. Dangerous precedent in the middle east if that should ever happen.