|
U.S. WORRIED IT WILL BE SHUT OUT OF TURKEY
The United States has been concerned that its defense firms would be excluded from Turkey's attack helicopter project.
| Turkey, on the other hand, should be worrying seriously about the way it's losing ties to the U.S. |
The Bush administration has expressed concern that Turkey's Defense Ministry would seek to select European defense contractors in an attempt to win membership in the European Union and acquire industrial expertise and technology. The administration was said to have raised the issue with the government of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Erdogan. U.S. officials in Washington as well as diplomats in Ankara have discussed Turkey's military procurement plans. The U.S. representatives complained that the requirements sought for the Turkish Land Forces helicopter program would rule out U.S. defense contractors. Turkey has sought U.S. help for the modernization of Ankara's military. Last month, the Bush administration announced U.S. plans to upgrade Turkey's entire F-16 multi-role fighter fleet in a sale that could reach $3.9 billion. Congress was expected to approve Turkey's request for the aircraft modernization project, which would include the sale of advanced air-to-air missiles to Ankara.
Posted by: Fred 2004-11-27 |
