The Turkish Government has chosen US manufacturer Sikorsky to supply 109 Turkish Utility Helicopters, derived from the BLACK HAWK helicopter, for multi-mission use.
The aircraft will be assembled in Turkey by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) as the prime contractor and will include components supplied by Sikorsky and other American and Turkish companies.
The Defense Industry Executive Committee (DIEC) has estimated the total program value to TAI at $3.5 billion, inclusive of work to be performed by Sikorsky and other program partners.
As part of its contract proposal, Sikorsky will invest in expanding the dynamic components manufacturing capability of Alp Aviation, which is 50 percent owned by Sikorsky.
The proposal will also allow Turkish industry access to Sikorsky’s global supply chain, including the sale of Turkish assembled aircraft to future Sikorsky international customers.
The DIEC has estimated that the export potential coupled with future Turkish indigenous requirements could reach 600 helicopters. The expected 10-year contract would also call for aftermarket support, including training and maintenance.
"For many years, Sikorsky Aircraft and Turkish industry have collaborated on aerostructures and dynamic component parts, so this contract would follow a longstanding tradition of cooperation," said Sikorsky President Jeffrey P. Pino. "Sikorsky looks forward to entering into this expanded partnership with Turkey to meet their present and future rotorcraft needs."
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a subsidiary of United Technologies Corporation of Hartford, Connecticut, is a world leader in helicopter design, manufacture and service.
Sikorsky won the contract in competition with AgustaWestland, a unit of Italian military contractor Finmeccanica.
