Turkey’s first ever drone plane rolled out.

China is next, may be; why not Pakistan?

By: Dr. Asmat Hayat ALVI.

Turkey’s first ever drone airplane rolled out from Air Force hanger on Friday July sixteen. Presently it’s a surveillance craft able to fly for 24-hour. Turkish drone Anka, with a 56-feet wingspan and an ability to fly at a speed of 75 knots (140 mph=225.3 kph) per hour at maximum height of 30,000 feet (9,144 meters)

 Interestingly all technology and know-how has provided by Israel; even amid rising tensions over Israeli policy toward the Gaza Strip. Israel knows; drones will be used against Muslim Kurdish rebels, not against Israel or Europe.

Turkey has purchased 10 Israel made Heron drones; their delivery is expected to be completed in August. The defense cooperation goes beyond drones; Israel has upgraded some of Turkey's combat jets and tanks with modern radar equipment.

Turkish engineers are confident that in coming years they can made an armed version of the Anka ( Phoenix).

Turkey's eagerness to produce its own military technology mirrors its increasingly robust and independent diplomacy in the region. While the success of the Turkish-made drone is far from assured, Turkish engineers said they were confident it would become part of the country's arsenal.

Turkey is among 43 countries having now developed unmanned airplanes drones.

Drones have proved to be extremely effective in gathering intelligence and attacking enemy positions. U.S. is only country; staging attacks in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia and Iraq on Muslim Guerrillas.

China is negotiating with Israel to acquire drone technology. If successful; China will have China-made drones within next four or five years.

Ozcan Ertem, head of the Turkish project hopes four or five countries, including Pakistan, which has also sought drones from the U.S., will place orders for the Anka once the Turkish Air Force issues an order probably later this year. The first system, will comprise three planes and remote-control units, is expected to be delivered to the Turkish Air Force in 2013.

Turkey had also bought or leased Heron drones from Israel and the United States separately provides intelligence from Predator drones on the Kurdish rebels.

Some defense analysts say some Pakistani aeronautical engineers can design & build; as technology is interestingly both easy and difficult to build and use effectively. Pakistani Engineers are capable to construct and operate drone, but they are scared after; mistreatment & insult of Dr.AQ Khan by Army; while laughing, a senior analyst told.

Aug 10,2010.