Pentagon Seeks to Sell Drones to Iraq, Turkey
The Obama administration is pressing to change the rules on weapons exports despite objections from Congress, which is concerned about the spread of drone technology across the Middle East, writes Richard Sisk. In May, Iraq agreed to buy at least six unarmed US surveillance drones and Turkey is currently haggling for new drones.
Fleets of military drones are proliferating in the Middle East, potentially adding to tensions in the region, under a renewed push by the US Defense Department to lift restrictions on arms sales and boost profits for US manufacturers.
In May, Iraq agreed to buy at least six unarmed US surveillance drones despite the protests from Iran. Turkey currently is haggling with the US for the purchase of $4 million hunter-killer Predator or $30 million Reaper drones armed with Hellfire missiles and laser-guided bombs for use against the guerrillas of the PKK (Kurdistan Workers Party).
