|
Germany to sell Turkey 298 tanks
12.11.2005
|
|
|
|
ANKARA, Turkey,
Nov. 11 (UPI) - On Tuesday Turkey signed a $427
million contract with Germany to purchase 298
surplus Leopard-2 A4 tanks after years of
negotiations.
Analysts note that the agreement contains no clauses
limiting Turkey from deploying them in the southeast
of the country where separatist guerrillas from the
Kurdistan Workers' Party, more familiarly known by
the acronym PKK, remain active.
A German diplomat in Ankara, speaking on condition
of anonymity, told the Turkish Daily News, "Now that
we are negotiating European Union membership, there
is no geographical -- southeast -- clause attached
to the deal."
In addition to the tanks, Germany will also provide
training and transfer technology for critical parts
like electronics and fire-control unit systems.
The Leopard-2 A4 was first introduced into the
German armed forces in 1979 as a counter to the
USSR's T-72 main battle tank. The Leopard-2 has
proven a popular export armament, with more than
3,000 having been produced for 11 European nations.
Austria, the Netherlands, Denmark and Switzerland
have all ordered Leopard-2 A4s.
Turkey will begin receiving the tanks next spring.
Turkey has also signed agreements with Israel to
upgrade its 170 M60 U.S.-built Patton tanks.
www.upi.com
Top |
Kurd Net
does not take credit for and is not responsible for the content of news
information on this page
|
® 