ATK expands decade-long partnerships with MKEK

ATK announced today the receipt of a $16.2 million, two-year contract from Makina ve Kimya Endustrisi Kurumu (Mechanical and Chemical Industry Corporation or MKEK), on behalf of the Turkish Ministry of Defence, for 25mm tactical and training ammunition components.

ATK established MKEK as a producer of medium caliber munitions through a transfer of technology and manufacturing assistance agreement in 1999. This new contract falls under a 10-year extension signed in December 2010 that follows an already decade-long partnership to provide material licensing and technical assistance for the indigenous production of ATK's 25mm munitions in Turkey. Since 1999, ATK has received more than $40 million in orders from MKEK for training, equipment, technology transfers and 25mm components.

Materials for both tactical and training 25mm munitions, including the M792 HEI-T (High Explosive Incendiary with Tracer), M793 TP-T (Target Practice with Tracer), and M791 APDS-T (Armor Piercing Discarding Sabot with Tracer) are scheduled for delivery to MKEK beginning in 2012.

ATK's suite of 25mm ammunition offers the accuracy and penetration capabilities necessary to effectively defeat today's threats: ballistically-matched training rounds enable improved warfighter performance, while tactical rounds offer superior lethality and fire suppression capabilities for engagement of both light armor and personnel targets at extended ranges.

"We are committed to driving international growth in our medium-caliber ammunition business through both direct sales and strategic partnerships," said Dan Olson, Vice President and General Manager, ATK Integrated Weapons Systems. "We will continue to support MKEK and their efforts to expand Turkey's indigenous production capabilities, and are excited to develop similar relationships within other key market areas."

Source: ATK