http://www.today.az/news/turkey/58304.html
Hurriyet Daily News December 17, 2009 Turkey to buy U.S. military heavy-lift copters worth up to $1.2 billion -“Turkey is a partner of the United States in ensuring peace and stability in the region. It is vital to the U.S. national interest to assist [this] NATO ally in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defense capability that will contribute to an acceptable military balance in the area...." -The 14 CH-47F Chinooks will be the first heavy-lift helicopters in the Turkish Army’s inventory. Developed in the late 1960s, the Chinooks have been exported to Australia, Canada, Egypt, Greece, Italy, Japan, Morocco, the Netherlands, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. The helicopters have been successfully operated in combat conditions in several wars and armed conflicts. U.S. President Barack Obama’s administration has agreed to sell 14 CH-47F heavy-lift transport helicopters worth up to $1.2 billion to the Turkish military, and has formally asked for Congress’ permission. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency, or DSCA, the Pentagon body coordinating weapons sales, last week notified Congress of the potential sale in a letter. .... Turkish procurement officials welcomed the move. The CH-47F Chinook is produced by the Boeing Company’s plant in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania. The DSCA said Congress was notified Dec. 7. Unless members of the Senate, Congress’ upper chamber, formally object to the sale within 15 days, permission will be automatically obtained. Such objections are extremely rare after a notification is given by the DSCA. “Turkey is a partner of the United States in ensuring peace and stability in the region. It is vital to the U.S. national interest to assist [this] NATO ally in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defense capability that will contribute to an acceptable military balance in the area. This proposed sale is consistent with those objectives,” the DSCA wrote. “The proposed sale will improve Turkey’s capability to meet current and future requirements for troop movement, medical evacuation, aircraft recovery, parachute drop, search and rescue, disaster relief, fire-fighting and heavy construction. Turkey will use these helicopters to strengthen its homeland defense, deter regional threats....,” it added, noting, “The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.” Assuming permission from Congress comes by Dec. 22, Turkey's procurement office, the Undersecretariat for Defense Industries, and the Pentagon will need to conclude a contract with the details of the sale. The 14 CH-47F Chinooks will be the first heavy-lift helicopters in the Turkish Army’s inventory. Developed in the late 1960s, the Chinooks have been exported to Australia, Canada, Egypt, Greece, Italy, Japan, Morocco, the Netherlands, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. The helicopters have been successfully operated in combat conditions in several wars and armed conflicts. =========================== Stop NATO http://groups.yahoo.com/group/stopnato To subscribe, send an e-mail to: stopnato-subscr...@yahoogroups.com Archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/stopnato/messages http://lists.topica.com/lists/ANTINATO/read ==============================
