The $3.5 billion TUHP helicopter project aimed at replacing and expanding Turkey's utility helicopter fleet, reducing foreign dependence in defense sector
An agreement between Turkey's Defense Industry Undersecretariat (SSM) and six subcontractors of the General Utility Helicopter Project (TUHP) has been signed, SSM said in a statement on Tuesday.
The statement said the project was entered into force as the main conductor of the project, SSM and Turkish Aviation and Airspace Industry Inc. (TUSAŞ), the main subcontractor, Sikorsky Aircraft, and other six local subcontractors signed it after getting export-licenses from the United States.
According to the project Turkey will produce six different types of109 T70 Black Hawk helicopters and to export them for next 10 years.
Under the terms of the agreement with Sikorsky, TAI will assemble the aircraft in Turkey from components provided by various partners, including Sikorsky itself. TAI is to build the cabin, rotors and cockpit, while TEI (TUSAŞ Engine Industry, Inc.) will build the General Electric T700 turboshafts under license. Aselsan is developing the avionics suite, while Turkish Black Hawk specialist ALP Aviation will construct the undercarriage and transmission.
The TUHP contract covers 109 new T-70 helicopters, with an initial option for 12 more. They will be delivered to a number of organizations to augment or supersede existing fleets. Military users will be the army, navy and air force, plus special operations command and electronic systems command. Others will go to parapublic agencies such as the gendarmerie, national police and the environment ministry.
The $3.5 billion TUHP helicopter project intends to replace and expand Turkey's utility helicopter fleet, and to reduce foreign dependence in defense sector. The project is expected to expand the Turkish helicopter fleet ultimately to several hundred T-70s.
Furthermore, experience from this program will help with a new indigenous light helicopter project for a five-metric-ton twin-engine machine that was launched in June 2014 with TAI as main contractor.
