Turkey to sign $3.5bn deal to buy US multi-task choppers

Turkey is set to sign a USD 3.5 billion contract soon with US aircraft manufacturer (Sikorsky), to boost Turkish military defense capabilities with multi-task helicopters. The Sikorsky T-70 helicopters, of the Black Hawk category, will be designed specificly to Turkey's needs in the 10-ton category with the capacity to carry 18 personnel, a statement from the Defence Purchase Agency said on Tuesday. Based on the contract the two sides will produce, according to a 10-year plan, 109 choppers to be used for multiple purposes, from defense to firefighting. The statement noted that Turkey will be signing this agreement for multi-purpose US helicopters within the next 30 days. "The helicopters are set to be delivered in 2018," Samir Mehta, senior representative of Sikorsky military systems said. The helicopters will be used for combat, research and rescue purposes. More helicopters will be produced upon demand for civilian use, the statement said. In 2010 Sikorsky and Turkey agreed to begin negotiations on the choppers, yet have faced problems in the three years since the agreement. According to the contract, ASELSAN, a Turkish defense giant producing electronics and weapons systems, would play a significant role in producing the cockpit of the helicopter. Turkish local media said Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) would also produce critical parts and the helicopter fuselage, along with TAI and ASELSAN, many other local companies would also support the production