Turkey and the U.S. are seeking to sell some 500 made in Turkey Blackhawk helicopters to third countries, according to Francis J. Ricciardone, the U.S. ambassador to Ankara. We will see over 600 Blackhawk helicopters, very high technology helicopters, produced here in Turkey. The great majority of these helicopters will go to third markets, third countries, said Ricciardone during a Turkish-American business council lunch in Istanbul on May 4.
Around one hundred of these helicopters will be used by the Turkish Armed Forces, the ambassador confirmed. U.S. firm Sikorsky Aircraft won a $3.5 billion competition in April 2011 to lead the production of more than 100 large utility helicopters for Turkey over Italys AgustaWestland. The defense firm is mainly set to cooperate with local Alp Aviation in production. Along with Alp, Ricciardone said some other important firms would also contribute to the making of the utility helicopters.
BUSINESS - US, Turkey to build 600 Blackhawks