Turkish Attack Helicopter Procurement On Hold Because of Stance in Iraq War

3D Paper ^ | 16 May 2003

[Phatheon]

Turkish Attack Helicopter Procurement On Hold Because of Stance in Iraq War (16 May)

The loss of the abundant US aid, because of Turkish vacillations during the war against Iraq, is endangering Turkish military procurement programs. The first project so endangered is the attack helicopter program. It was Turkey’s desire to acquire 50 Bell Helicopter Textron AH-1Z King Cobra attack helicopters, as a first phase. Even if funds were to be found, the acquisition of a specialized version tailor made for Turkish requirements would have to be abandoned.

In addition, in an effort to further cut the onerous financial burden the participation of Turkish industry in the project may also be cut back. From the beginning, Turkey had chosen the King Cobra (July 2000). However, following the collapse of negotiations in July 2002, Ankara initiated negotiations for a Russo-Israeli version of the Ka-50/2, manufactured by Kamov Helicopter. The American proposal was reinstated after US pressure, who fearing the loss of the contract proposed the use of FMS (Foreign Military Sales), meaning a bilateral agreement on government level, rather than between the manufacturer and the Turkish government.

[LS]

Well, let's be honest. All this amounted to was the U.S. taxpayer "lending" Turkey the money to purchase our own helicopters. Bad for the employees at Textron, but good for the U.S. taxpayer.

[ElectricStrawberry]

Hang 'em out to dry.

[caisson71]

Don't we have a bunch of Huey's somewhere we could repaint and sell to them. That's pobably a better helicopter than they could buy outside the US.

[Phatheon]

They will run off to Kamov for some Ka-52s but will the U.S.A honour the check?