PAUL LEWIS /WASHINGTON DC
But Ankara is still unhappy with technology transfer arrangements with the USA
Turkey has agreed to join the USA's Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) system development and demonstration phase, but complains that US technology transfer restrictions are still blocking an order for six Boeing 737 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft, 17 months after selection.
A contract signature is due within two months for Turkey to join the Lockheed Martin F-35 JSF programme as a Level 3 partner, and take a 1% stake in the $23 billion development. The country was to join at Level 2, but financial difficulties forced Ankara to lower its sights. The deal will allow Turkish Aerospace Industries and Turkish Engine Industries to join in.
JSF will replace Turkey's ageing fleet of around 200 McDonnell Douglas F-4E/RF-4Es and 44 early TAI-built F-16C/D Block 30s. "After 2010, we'll operate only modernised F-16C/D Block 40s and Block 50s, and JSFs," says Maj Gen Aktug Atay, Turkish air force chief of plans and policies. Turkey plans to upgrade its 197 early-build F-16s, while the Block 50 fighters will receive new jammers.
Ankara is hoping JSF will strengthen its "strategic partnership" with the USA, and improve defence industrial co-operation to a par with Israel and South Korea. "Our level of technology transfer co-operation is not satisfactory," says Dursun Ali Ercan, Turkish defence industry undersecretary, speaking at the American-Turkish Council conference in Washington DC.
Turkey's acquisition priority is 737-based AEW&C systems, but Atay says US export limitations and "Boeing's attitude" have delayed the programme. Ankara is demanding access to source codes for the electronically scanned array radar, and a core maintenance capability and local workshare.
The US Defence Security Co-operation Agency (DSCA) says it is drawing up a letter of offer and acceptance for the foreign military sales element of the $1.5 billion deal.
Source: Flight International
