Israel will help Turkey to watch over Kurds
28.12.2007 16:18 GMT+04:00
Israeli defense contractors plan to deliver to Turkey within weeks 10 unmanned aircraft that will be used, among other things, in intelligence-gathering operations against Kurdish rebels, an Israeli official familiar with the deal said Thursday.

As part of the $190 million (€134 million) deal with the Turkish Air Force, signed several years ago, Israeli crews will provide training and technical support for the Heron systems, the official said. A malfunction in a camera system manufactured for the drones by a Turkish subcontractor has held up delivery, but the problems are expected to be worked out soon, he said.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to discuss the deal with the media. State-run Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. is lead contractor for the project, which also includes Israel's Elbit Systems Ltd. and Turkey’s Aselsan.

The IAI wouldn’t comment on whether Israeli crews would be involved in Turkish operations against the Kurds.