ANKARA, Turkey, June 16 (UPI) -- Ankara plans to acquire nine attack helicopters from manufacturer AgustaWestland in an effort to respond to Kurdish militants, the defense minister said.
Turkish Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul said Ankara is in talks with AgustaWestland to buy nine of the A219 Mangusta attack helicopters, Defense News reports.
"In an effort to meet the urgent needs of the Turkish Land Forces Command and as part of the ongoing attack helicopter program, negotiations for the procurement of an additional nine attack helicopters will be launched with Turkish Aerospace Industries," he told reporters.
Turkish military officials expressed their desire to boost their gunship capabilities following a series of attacks launched by the Kurdistan Workers' Party earlier this year.
The Turkish military has six AH-1W Super Cobra and more than 20 early variants of the Cobra attack helicopter.
Turkish Aerospace Industries has plans to build at least 50 more attack helicopters through a joint deal with AgustaWestland.
