Turkey's defense industries focusing on counter-terror

Turkey is working to develop weapons systems to combat PKK terrorists in the country’s southeast and northern Iraq, Science, Industry and Technology Minister Fikri Isik said Wednesday.

In an interview with Anadolu Agency, Isik said Turkey was focusing on a "penetrator bomb” that would be able to penetrate concrete bunkers.

"Now it’s the terrorist organization’s turn to think," he said. "Ideas like 'I won't go out my cave until bomb attacks finish' will not work anymore.

"The first head owf the penetrator bomb has the ability to drill through concrete that is 2 meters under the ground. The second head hits the target behind the drilled concrete. From now on, terrorists will not be safe even in their underground caves.”

He added that the Gokturk-2 satellite is to cross the Kandil region -- where the PKK has its main bases -- every two-and-a-half days. The satellite’s sophisticated cameras will be able to detect changes to the landscape for evaluation by intelligence experts.

Isik said the Turkish defense industry has increased with exports now reaching $2 billion -- more than a quarter of which comprises sales to the U.S. with Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan among other prominent customers.

Key among the projects Turkish companies are working on is the F-35 Lightning II fighter jet program with Lockheed Martin.

As a program partner, Turkish industries are eligible to become suppliers for the life of the program -- expected to be worth up to $12 billion.

Turkey plans to purchase 100 of the F-35A models, according to Lockheed Martin’s website.