Turkey which has secured active intelligence cooperation from the United States against the PKK terrorist organization is preparing to launch its own spy satellite in 2008.

Thus Turkey will shed its dependency on international sources for intelligence not only on the PKK but will also be able to monitor human and drug smuggling activities in and around its borders.

The issue will be taken up at the Defense Industry Executive Committee meeting on November 23 which is expected to give the go ahead for the spy satellite project called Gokturk.

The Gokturk satellite will be able to monitor instantly all the movements of the PKK terrorists in and around Turkey.

The satellite will have a life span of six years. It will cost 200 million dollars. The project was started in 2005 as the Gokturk Reconnaissance and Surveillance Satellite Systems Project and will be completed within a year. The project will contribute to the military needs of information gathering and will be the first ever spy satellite to be launched by Turkey.

This will allow Turkey to observe and listen into all the activities of the PKK as well as receive first hand information about developments in neighboring areas.

Four companies bidding -----------------ARA BASLIK

EADS ASTRIUM of Britain, IAI of Israel, OHB of Germany and TELESPAZIO of Italy are bidding for the contract.

Turkish authorities have asked the bidders to launch and place the satellite in orbit. The project will have three components: Electro optical Surveillance Satellite, Stationary Land Station, and Mobile Land Station. The Turkish authorities also want high definition images.

Other satellites to be launched after the Gokturk probe will work on a radar system. This means the satellites will be able to function 24 hours without being affected by clouds cover or other weather conditions.

All other satellites after Gokturk will involve Turkish companies including ASELSAN, HAVELSAN, TUBITAK and TAI. Research and Development work have already been started, authorities reported. Turkey plans to put about 15 satellites into orbit in the coming two to two and a half years.

The Gokturk satellite will also have commercial use. It will be able to control forest areas, illegal housing, damage control after natural disasters, agricultural forecasting as well as charting maps.