Sikorsky, Turkey sign T-70 helicopter agreement

Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) and Aselsan will build 109 T-70 helicopters for operation by the Turkish government under newly signed agreements with Sikorsky. The T-70 is the Turkish variant of Sikorsky's S-70i Black Hawk helicopter, being built for the Turkish Utility Helicopter Program.

The agreement will see TAI and Aselsan build the helicopters under licence to Sikorsky, and to assemble 109 S-70i helicopters for Sikorsky.

The agreements, subject to requisite export approvals, license the transfer of certain manufacturing technology to Turkish industry, and provide for the potential to produce up to a total of 600 aircraft, including both T-70 units for Turkish indigenous use and S-70i aircraft for export over the next 30 years. An agreement was also signed with the Turkish Undersecretariat for Defence Industries (SSM).

TAI is the prime contractor for T-70 licensed production and assembly in Turkey for multi-mission use by the Turkish government. The aircraft will be assembled in Turkey by TAI and will include components supplied by Sikorsky and other American and Turkish companies. Aselsan will develop a new cockpit avionics system that will be featured in the T-70 aircraft.

Mick Maurer, president, Sikorsky, said: ‘This programme is unprecedented in Sikorsky's 90-year history. We have signed contracts that collectively will raise our already strong supplier and customer relationships in Turkey to levels that we expect will endure for decades. We are very pleased that these agreements also will potentially open additional markets for the world's leading utility military helicopter while strengthening Turkish industry's position as a world-class aerospace provider.’

According to Sikorsky, Turkey's Defence Industry Executive Committee has reported a total programme value of $3.5 billion, inclusive of the work to be performed by Sikorsky, TAI and other TUHP suppliers. In addition to the work with TAI and Aselsan, Sikorsky will expand the manufacturing capability of Alp Aviation, which is 50 percent owned by Sikorsky.