Companies bidding to meet Turkey's revived attack helicopter requirement have until 10 June to deliver information, according to the nation's defence ministry.
Ankara last year cancelled its attack helicopter contest after five years, but now seeks to buy 50 aircraft and hold 41 options under a $1.5 billion project. AgustaWestland's A129I Mangusta, Denel's Rooivalk, Eurocopter's Tiger and the Kamov Ka-50 and Mil Mi-28 promoted by Russia's Rosoboronexport are expected to contest the requirement. The USA's Bell Helicopter and Boeing are considering again offering their AH-1Z King Cobra AH-64 Apache designs.
Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI), which is part of the Ka-50 bid team, has meanwhile added the Hindustan Aeronautics-built Dhruv advanced light helicopter to a package on offer to the Turkish armed forces. Both aircraft are equipped with Israeli avionics.
Source: Flight International
