Turkish authorities reassure themselves that Progress can produce the KA-50-2 in serial production

Published: 8/4/1999

It seems that the Russian bid for the Turkish attack helicopter tender is still alive and well after the two partners in the Ka-50-2 program Kamov and Israeli Aircraft Industries (IAI), undertook to alter the aircraft to tandem configuration and add additional Turkish requirements such as a French GIAT 20mm cannon turret. According to Alexander Polusmak, the Chairman of the Defense Industry Committee of the Vladivostok Region Administration, a Turkish delegation is to visit the helicopter's plant at AAK "Progress", Arsenyev, and establish its capability of putting the aircraft into serial production, reported RBC in Vladivostok. The tender is now in its second stage and the Turkish delegation is reassuring themselves that the plant has the ability to produce the first of three batches of 145 helicopters for the $3.5 bn contract to be delivered over 10 years. The latter batches of aircraft under the contract are to be assembled in Turkey from local and foreign parts. The final decision on the contract is expect in the autumn of this year.

Article ID: 732