SSM, the Turkish defence procurement authority, is re-evaluating the Kamov KA-50-2 Erdogan attack helicopter featuring Israeli avionics after talks with the USA on the purchase of Bell AH-1Z floundered.
Turkey began talks for the first 50 of a 145-helicopter purchase in 2000, but snags over source code access and performance guarantees have hampered the deal (Flight International, 26 March-1 April).
Russian arms export agency Rosoboronexport, which led the Ka-50-2 bid team, has been asked by Turkey not to withdraw from the tender process until a deal is signed. "The [Ka-50-2] talks have been resumed under the initiative of the Turkish side that has again turned to our offer," Kamov general designer Sergei Mikheyev says. Rosboronexport's offer is reportedly half the cost of the US deal.
Mikheyev says the proposed industrial off-set programme includes Turkish production, upgrade and maintenance participation. Kamov is also offering "an off-set programme for the creation of a lightweight civil helicopter", believed to relate to the Ka-62 Kasatka.
Kamov teamed with Israel Aircraft Industries on the KA-50-2 - which has a tandem seat cockpit rather than the side-by-side arrangement of the Ka-52 offered to the Russian army. Israeli sources say the offer is again being evaluated, but add " basic issues" will have to be agreed before a deal is reached.
Source: Flight International
