280 KM does not Cover Crimea, wide Parts of Caucasus, only the aegean Island and not the greek Mainland and not north Israel. A missile with Similar Capabillities like Iskander M with Range from 500 to 800 KM is that what Turkey needs by the Threat Envirement in the Region.
There were even Design Studies about an unmmanned Stealth Attack Helicopter, Nasnas UAV etc. Probably foreign Influence does also play a Role. I read somewere France has underdone Lobbyist efforts to Stop the Drone Programm.
@HannibalBarca
Tunisian Companys have also underdone efforts to Develp Drones, some reached the Prototype Stadion. Are some tunisian Developed Drones reached the Stage of serial Production ?
For this Role AC-130 or Reaper like Drones are more suitable than T-129, even F-16 fullfill this Role better. Attack Helicopters can provide direct close Support which could also include Gunfire Support, especialy in an Urban Envirement is Situational Awareness the Key. You have no situational...
It's not the Case that a Multinational European Force exists, but if it's the Case we must be prepared to have nuclear Technology and the Capabillity to built IRBM with MIRV. Also when it comes about the Influence in north Africa, central and south Asia we have also to Deal with Nuclear Powers.
Having the Technology to built Nuclear Capable Missile can become some Day important ! For example if we Face the Threat from an multinational European Force which could intervene in Cyprus or Aegean Issue. By purely relying on Conventionel Forcess we couldn't stand long and will become forced...
Cruise Missiles with a Range Range of more than 1000 km can be considered as strategic Weapon,with 3000 km Range they can also reach Targets as far as Spain and can be equippt with nuclear Warheads. Where is the Difference ?
My Post about CAS was regarding the Airforce, not the Army ! The T-129 B1 Model does lack some self Protection and EW Capabillity which will be Standard by the B2 Model. Here is the Threat of risking our brand new T-129 and their Crews getting shot down by Manpads from ISIS.