Competition for Turkey's jet fighter purchases heats up

Published: Apr 10, 2006
Source: www.zaman.com



The US accepted to give Turkey a role worth more than $3,5 billion in the new generation war plane project to replace F-16 planes.

Turkey, on the other side, is waiting for the details of Eurofighter’s offer, which seems to be more “appealing” for Turkey.

As the competition increases between Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), which is developed under US leadership, and Eurofighter Typhoon, which is produced by Western Europe countries, it is reported that American Lockheed Martin, the main producer of JSF, has offered Turkey a package worth over 3.5 billion U.S. dollars for local production of critical parts if its plane is accepted.

Turkish authorities said Lockheed Martins offer is satisfactory for Turkish Aviation and Space Industry Incorporation (TAI); however, Turkey demands further packages for ASELSAN, Havelsan and Roketsan companies also.

It is reported that the rival Eurofighter Company has made an attractive local production offer in the new plan it introduced to Turkey but the details of this offer were not made public.

Ankara is expected to make its decision on Turkish Air Force’s new generation war plane purchase tender, which is accepted to be the largest-ever single order for Turkey's local defense industry, by the end of this year.continue..