Another Delay For Turkish Attack Helicopter Program

Another Delay For Turkish
Attack Helicopter Program


by Metehan Demir


06/05/00 08:49:45 AM U.S. EDT

Turkey once again disappointed defense contractors by delaying its long-expected attack helicopter decision. On Friday, Turkey's Defense Industry Executive Committee, after meeting for two hours, said the $4 billion decision to produce 145 helicopters has been delayed for another month. Turkey's prime minister, top general and defense minister also noted that technical criteria for the contestants were found unsatisfactory. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said after the meeting that the Bell-Textron King Cobra, the Ka50-2 from the Russian-Israeli partnership Kamov, and Italy's A-129 International again failed to meet technical specifications. Sources said another main reason was a dispute on financial problems between Turkey and the companies.


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