, ROME: The Turkish [Defense Industry] Executive Committee has announced today that it is to start contract negotiations with AgustaWestland, in partnership with Turkish Aviation Industry (TAI), for the Tactical Reconnaissance and Attack Helicopter – ATAK Project – for the Turkish Land Forces Command.
The estimated value of this programme to AgustaWestland is in excess of 1.2 billion EURO based on the requirement for 51 A129 helicopters.
Pier Francesco Guarguaglini, Chairman and CEO of Finmeccanica, said: “The selection of AgustaWestland helicopters by the Turkish government confirms the competitiveness of our products and the excellent industrial relations that exist between Italy and Turkey, where Finmeccanica has been present in various sectors for many years. Moreover, this choice strengthens the bonds of mutual friendship and respect between the two countries and paves the way to new exciting opportunities for partnership between them”.
Giuseppe Orsi, CEO, AgustaWestland said ”The Turkish Executive Committee’s decision to start contract negotiations further confirms the high technological capability level achieved by AgustaWestland and its ability to meet the widest range of customer requirements worldwide”.
The AgustaWestland proposal includes significant industrial benefits for Turkey. Several leading Turkish aerospace companies, such as TAI and Aselsan, will be involved in the programme. Final assembly, delivery and acceptance of the aircraft will also take place in Turkey.
The A129 is a multi-role combat helicopter designed for day/night and adverse weather combat operations. The A129, powered by two LHTEC T800 turboshaft engines, has a state-of-the-art cockpit and features a fully digital integrated avionics system which controls and manages the flight and mission sub-systems.
The Italian Army, which already operates the A129, has successfully deployed the helicopter in support of a number of United Nations peace keeping missions in Somalia, Kosovo and Iraq. The A129 has demonstrated during these operations high reliability and low maintenance despite the harsh environmental operating conditions.
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