ANKARA Ñ Turkey and its allies have launched a major combat air
exercise.
The Turkish Air Force said the exercise, termed "Anatolia Eagle,"
includes the participation of the United States and the United Arab
Emirates. An air force statement said the exercise began on Tuesday and will
end on Oct. 25.
This is the third such exercise being held by Turkey, which in the past
has included Israel. The maneuvers are being held in the central Turkey and
aircraft are being deployed at the Third Main Jet Base Command in Konya.
It was the first major Turkish exercise to include the UAE air force.
Turkey has been training UAE pilots to fly the U.S.-built F-16.
The UAE has ordered 80 Block 60 F-16s in a $6.4 billion sale. The first
multi-role fighter-jets are expected to arrive by 2004.
The Turkish military statement said the annual exercise aims to improve
the combat air skills of participating countries. The maneuvers will focus
on electronic warfare and employ both computer simulation as well as actual
flight.
Ankara did not provide details on the size of the maneuvers. But Turkish
sources said about 200 warplanes from the
three countries are participating in Anatolia Eagle. They said the United
States has contributed F-16s, Turkey is employing F-16s and F-5s and the UAE
has brought its French-built Mirage-2000 aircraft.
In an unrelated development, Turkey is nearing completion of a major
aircraft production program. Officials said the state-owned Turkish Aircraft
Industry intends to complete the production of nine CN-235 light transport
airplanes by the end of the year. The aircraft will be delivered to the
Turkey's navy and coast guard.
