Turkey will relaunch its stalled attack helicopter procurement process by issuing a fresh request for proposals late this month for the direct purchase of 50 aircraft. Details of the renewed programme were announced following a 19 January meeting attended by defence minister Vecdi Gonul and prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, with new procurements for utility helicopters and training aircraft also revealed.
Ankara's earlier plan to acquire 145 Bell AH-1Z SuperCobra attack helicopters under licensed production suffered a five-year delay before its cancellation last May. The new plan calls for the direct acquisition of an initial 50 aircraft, with more to be sought later. Rivals for the requirement include the AgustaWestland A129 Mangusta, Bell AH-1Z, Boeing AH-64DApache Longbow, Denel Rooivalk, Eurocopter Tiger, Kamov Ka-50 and Mil Mi-28.
Gonul also announced plans to acquire 32 additional utility helicopters, to be acquired in three configurations, with the army to receive 20 and the air force and navy six each.
Turkey also intends to early this year launch a contest to acquire 36 new turboprop and jet trainers to re-equip its air force, with an option for a further 19, says Gonul. The Turkish air force currently uses Aermacchi SF260s for primary instruction, Cessna T-37B/Cs for primary jet training and Northrop'sT-38 for advanced jet training.
TOLGA OZBEK / ISTANBUL
Source: Flight International
