Turkish Aerospace Industries, Sikorsky to Build Helicopters for Ankara

Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) and US-based Sikorsky Aircraft corporation signed contracts worth $3.5 billion to start the production of helicopters for the needs of the Turkish army, Turkey's center of technology said on Tuesday .

ANKARA (Sputnik) — In April 2011, Sikorsky Aircraft won a contract to launch a joint venture with TAI worth $3.5 billion.

According to the Turkish technological center, TAI plant in Ankara licensed by Sikorsky will built 109 T-70 Black Hawk helicopters for Turkish military, enforcement and emergency agencies over the next 10 years. The helicopter is designed for defense missions, patrolling raids and rescue operations.

The contract provides that the Turkish-US venture may extend production up to 600 helicopters to be delivered abroad, TAI said.

TAI is engaged in projects with the world's largest aircraft companies, including Airbus Group, Lockheed Martin, Boeing and MD Helicopters.