Turkey’s TAI signs $3.5 bln deals with Sikorsky, domestic contractors for helicopter

ANKARA

Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) has signed agreements worth $3.5 billion with Sikorsky Aircraft and three domestic contractors to make helicopters for Turkey’s Armed Forces, the Defense Industry Undersecretariat (SSM) has said in a statement, as reported by Reuters. 

Under the deal, 109 utility helicopters will be built for the Turkish land, air, gendarmerie and police forces by TAI as the prime contractor, Sikorsky as the major subcontractor and Turkey’s Aselsan, TEI and ALP as other subcontractors, it said. 

“These helicopters will be delivered to six different users in the next 10 years under the licensed production in Turkey,” it added. 

In the framework of the project, TAI will manufacture all main parts of the T70 helicopters, undertake all montage works, make all tests and offer integrated logistics support. Aselsan will be responsible for the development and the integration of basic avionics while assuming responsibility together with Sikorsky for the development of the helicopter cockpit. TEI will manufacture the helicopter’s engine, while ALP will undertake the production and montage of the landing gear, as well as the dynamic parts of the helicopter, according to the statement. 

“The Turkish defense and aviation industry will play a significant role in meeting the utility helicopter needs of our country for both civilian and military purposes with the Utility Purpose Helicopter Project, which is worth around $3.5 billion,” the SSM said.