The Turkish Army is planning to buy a General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) Predator unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to cover a UAV gap in its fight against the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), the Turkish Army commander has revealed. If procured, the US government has pledged to supply Turkey with the system within 18 months, according to US sources. Turkish Army Commander General Isik Kosaner acknowledged the Turkish plan to buy a US UAV during a press conference on 27 October, saying that one US Predator UAV is currently at the disposal of the Turkish military and has been gathering intelligence on PKK activities, mostly in northern Iraq. However, Gen Kosaner's remarks that the UAV has been tasked to collect images around Aktutun in southeastern Anatolia reveals that Ankara has used a US Predator operated by US officers within Turkish borders as well as over northern Iraq. Since the US supply of real-time intelligence to Turkey began in November 2007, Turkish jets have been staging airstrikes against PKK bases in northern Iraq, with the latest one taking place on 28 October, supported by artillery and mortar fire from within Turkey.
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