Sikorsky [LMT] and Turkey signed multiple agreements under the TUHP-Turkish Utility Helicopter Program worth a total of $3.5 billion, prime contractor Turkish Aerospace Industries Inc. (TAI) said Tuesday.
Under the program the prime contractor and subcontractors are set to manufacture and deliver 109 T70 helicopters over the next 10 years to the Turkish Land Forces, Turkish Air Force, General Command of Gendarme, Special Forces, Turkish National Police, and the General Directorate of Forestry. Sikorsky is one main subcontractor along with three Turkish aerospace contractors: Aselsan, Turkish Engine Industries (TEI), and Alp Aviation.
With these final agreements in place, the program is fully in effect and the last steps were taken to start the project schedule.
TAI is responsible for manufacturing, final assembly operations, tests, and integrated logistics support for all airframe structures and composite rotor blades. TEI is set to build engines under a license from General Electric [GE]; Aselsan will develop and integrate basic avionics and will co-develop with Sikorsky an enhanced digital cockpit known as the Integrated Modular Avionics System (IMAS); and Alp Aviation will carry out production and assembly of landing gears, gearbox and dynamic components.
Turkey’s Defense Industry Executive Committee reported the total program value as $3.5 billion, including work to be performed by TAI, Sikorsky, and other TUHP partners.
“With this program Turkey’s utility helicopter requirements will be met, and Turkish industry will play a significant role in fulfilling domestic needs in military and civil areas,” TAI said in a statement.