 |
The C295 airlifter, left, is an advanced
version of the C235. The C-27J Spartan, right, has been deployed by U.S. Coast
Guard. (Airbus Defence and Space; Courtesy of Leonardo)
|
By: Burak Ege Bekdil
ANKARA, Turkey — Italian Leonardo’s C-27J Spartan
airlifter will soon face off against the Airbus’ C295 in a sizable Turkish
contract, with Russian company Antonov potentially joining the race.
“We wish to see as large a competition as possible. We
are certain about the European contenders joining the bidding, but the Russian
side remains unclear,” a Turkish procurement official said of the program for
the purchase of an initial batch of nine transport aircraft for the Turkish
military.
Another Turkish official confirmed there would be
follow-on orders.
Industry sources estimate the initial contract to be
worth nearly $500 million. “With the follow-on orders, the program may double
in size,” one source said.
The deadline for questions, answers and clarifications
between the bidders and Turkey’s procurement agency, the Undersecretariat for
Defense Industries, or SSM, is Nov. 29. The contenders will submit their bids
to the Turkish government by Dec. 29.
(Devan Feeney/Staff)
Leonardo officials who briefed a group of Turkish
journalists at the 46th Air Brigade in Pisa, Italy, say the program is very
important for their company. Read rest
of article: HERE
Related articles:
C-27J Spartan: Details
No comments:
Post a Comment