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TdN Line of Sight< >TdN Non-Line of Sight |
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21.04.2000 17:50:32 +0300 |
News
Line of ATAK
(Turkish Attack/ Reconnaissance Helicopter) Project |
News Line of Turkish
Tank-2000
(Next Generation Main Battle Tank) Project |
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February,2000 |
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Lockheed Martin, the license holder of Turkish F-16s assembled at Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) facilities near Ankara, is seeking to further enter Turkey's lucrative defense market. The deal with the SSM for the sale of the missiles to equip nine Turkish Land Forces Command (KKK) Super Cobras was signed in late January and delivery is scheduled to take place 15 months after the contract goes into effect in March. The number of Super Cobras in the inventory of the KKK was reduced from 10 to nine when one was shot down two years ago by the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) terrorist organization. Three out of five companies (Agusta, Boeing and Bell-Textron) bidding in Turkey's $4 billion dollar attack helicopter project, the selection of a contractor for which has been delayed until March 24, have also been offering Lockheed Martin-manufactured Hellfire-2 missiles to equip the models they are offering in the project. The Turkish navy made a deal in 1999 with Lockheed Martin to purchase 84 AGM-114 Hellfire-II blast fragmentation laser-guided, short-range, anti-ship missiles to be deployed on eight Sikorsky-manufactured Sea Hawk S-70B helicopters. All eight Sea Hawks, equipped with Hellfires, will be delivered to the Turkish navy within six to eight months starting late this year. The Turkish navy plans to incorporate into its inventory, together with the eight already-contracted Sea Hawks, a further 20 to 30 Sea Hawks, but so far no concrete decision has been made on their purchase. The initial decision to buy Hellfire missiles was made when Norway refused to sell its Penguin missiles to Turkey because of Ankara's poor human rights record. The Norwegian government later decided to lift a ban on the sale of Penguin helicopter-launched, anti-ship missiles to Turkey. The decision came on the Dec. 20 and cleared the way for the sale of the 16 Penguin Mk Mod 7 missiles to Turkey worth 305 million Norwegian Krone (NKr). (Turkish Daily News, Lale Sariibrahimoglu)
Turkey selected the El-Op's Long-Range Oblique Photography Systems (LOROPS) under a cost of $50 million over the Lockheed martin (Fairchild)'s offer. Turkey will fit its RF-4Es with an El-Op long-range oblique photography system, with a CCD camera, fitted into a 1140 lb external tank, which could also be used by F-16s. The contract is worth about USD 50M. The Turkish Air Force Command is planning on using the LOROP system on 42 RF-4 Phantom reconnaissance aircraft. The system is installed in a 1000lb external fuel tank pod. Turkey plans to install same configuration on planed 20 F-16 Block 50+ recce variant as a Peace Onyx III program containing another 12 F-16s for attrition lost in near future. (Military Aviation)
According to ITAR-TASS Turkey has opted to install the Russian-developed Arena anti-anti-tank missile system on the 1,000 main battle tanks it intends to buy. The Arena system, an unique system which the developers, Engineering Design Bureau (EDB) of Kolomna, near Moscow, claims has a 96% probability of intercepting any anti-tank missiles fired at a tank, will add 20% to the cost. Turkey is to choose between the German Kraus-Maffei Wegman Leopard-IIA6EX, the US General Dynamics Land Systems M-1A2T, the French GIAT Leclerc and the Ukrainian Ukrspetsexport T-84 in the Turkish Tank-2000 program. (Defence Systems Daily)
ELTA's EL/M-2032 is flying operationally onboard Kfir, Mirage, F-5, MIG21 Aircraft, and is planed to fly onboard the F-16 Avionics Capabilities Enhancement (ACE) used for demonstrations to customers interested in Mid-Life Upgrade to their F-16s. Modular hardware and software design, software controlled, adaptable antenna shape and flexible avionic interfaces ensure that the FCR can be installed on additional multimission fighters with minimum modifications to aircraft. After successfully passing the test flights for the F-4 Turkish Upgrade Program, ELTA started the serial production. Today ELTA's EL/M-2032 is considered among the most advanced Fire Control Radars for fighter aircraft in the upgrade markets.
CelsiusTech Australia has won a $5 million contract to provide a mine warfare command and control system to the Republic of Turkey's naval forces. The contract will give the Turkish Navy the ability to record mine data images collected by its mine hunters and catalogue these along with other technical and intelligence information. The system displays digital maps showing mined locations and enables planning for the forces necessary to clear threatening mines and allow freedom of passage to naval and commercial shipping. "The Turkish system will have a number of features in common with the Australian Navy's enhanced system which we are now developing, that is, a migration to the Windows NT system and integration of Thomson Marconi Sonar Type 2093s and NAUTIS command and control systems," Mr Hammond said. "The Oracle database will allow the system operators to record, review, edit and recall data and to produce various reports used for operational planning." The system being developed for the Turkish Navy is based on the Mine Warfare Command Support System developed by CelsiusTech Australia (CTA) for the Australian Navy and delivered last year. (Defense Systems Daily)
The TCVL will be constructed in Turkey by maximum domestic contribution and transfer of required know-how from requested shipyard. Turkish Navy recently decided an important delay on MilGem OPV project and gave priority to , TCVL, TF-2000, additional Perry and Track III Meko frigates and ground-based IMSS (Integrated Maritime Surveillance System), formerly known as "Long Horizon", projects.
TOROS-230A is 230mm in diameter, 4.1m in length, 326kg in weight and has 10-65km range. The rocket effects area of 200m over the target. TOROS-260A is 260mm in diameter, 4.8m in length, 483kg in weight and has 15-100km range. The rocket effects area of 220-230m over the target. (Turkish Press Review)
Once the TSK officially adopts the two-tier anti-ballistic missile strategy, it will begin studies to decide on the specific anti-ballistic missile systems that should be obtained. It is known that Turkey is seeking to participate in the joint U.S.-Israeli Arrow missile program. But there are also other options, and the Turkish military is adopting a more cautious attitude in the procurement of a specific anti-ballistic missile system, taking into consideration its costs as well as its technical features. The military is still in the process of learning the control features of anti-ballistic missile systems. The two-tier anti-ballistic missile system consists of upper and lower tier systems, with the upper level composed of THAAD missiles and the Navy Theater-Wide Missile Defense System using an advanced tracking and targeting computerized radar called SPY-1 Aegis. The lower tier missiles have a shorter range and consist of the newly developed U.S. Patriot PAC-3 missiles as well as the yet-to-be-developed Navy Area-Wide Missile Defense System. These use Aegis radar and are deployed on destroyers, being a variation of Standard SM-2 Block IV/SM-3 missile defense systems. For example, if Iran or other neighbor states with potential ballistic missile capabilities launches a salvo against Turkey, the upper tier system can intercept the missiles high in the atmosphere close to the launch site. If the target is not destroyed with the upper tier system, the lower tier system will fire, destroying the target missiles at closer range. In other words, the two systems complement each other. The Turkish military is understood to be of the view that a restricted lower tier system would not meet Turkey's requirements against ballistic missiles. It is now believed that Turkey will cooperate with Israel and the United States in the development of a regional missile defense network rather than a restrictive one, in the face of the development of longer-range ballistic missiles in the region. Military officers as well as Turkish diplomats were in the United States late last month for a simulation theater defense exercise held under the auspices of the U.S.-Turkish bilateral working group on theater missile defense systems (THAAD) that intercept surface-to-surface missiles. However, the Turkish Daily News has learned that the simulation exercise was neither successful nor satisfactory for the Turkish side. The United States explained that Turkey follows a more general concept of ballistic missiles and defensive systems. (Turkish Daily News, Lale Sariibrahimoglu)
The USS John A. Moore will be sold to the Turkish Naval Forces for $29 million, significantly lower than its actual value, and will be given a Turkish name during a handing-over ceremony to be scheduled in the near future. U.S. Ambassador Mark Parris announced that he is extremely pleased about the sale of the frigate to Turkey at such a reasonable price, adding that this is half of what was quoted to Turkey last year for planning purposes. Parris also noted that due to the financial burden being experienced in Turkey, particularly after the Marmara earthquake, he had tried his utmost to negotiate the best price possible allowed under U.S. law for this type of transaction. Turkey is also planning to acquire two more frigates both as additional Perry-class and as Meko A/M-200TN under TRACK-III project to replace old Berk-class light frigates and last Gearing-class destroyers before the launching of multi-billion dollar-TF-2000 project.
The appointment as SSM undersecretary of the military-affiliated Ercan has a potential outcome that the appointment may mean dealing a serious blow at the very fundamental principle of the reason for being of the SSM, which was established in 1985 to break a 50-year national public sector monopoly to encourage the local and foreign private sector. Professor Ercan's appointment came two weeks before the planned announcement of the final bidders on major projects for a $4 billion attack helicopter as well as a $2 billion airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft. It is reported that new undersecretary will not delay the final decision on those projects. The rivalry between Turkey's military-controlled Defense Ministry and the civilian-controlled SSM is not new. Each sought to take responsibility in the Turkish defense procurement worth many billions of dollars. But this fierce competition between the two institutions has seen a gradual dominance of the military in defense procurement. The existence of fragile coalition governments in past years that have sometimes diverted SSM funds to other areas to fill resource shortages has facilitated the work of the military to dominate defense procurement. The appointment in the past two years of retired senior generals as deputy undersecretaries of the SSM was part of the operation of the military officers to bring the SSM under its direct control. In addition to appointing retired generals as undersecretaries the military-controlled Ministry of Defense has been appointing retired generals or retired colonels as project coordinators for SSM, taking on the responsibility of major projects, such as main battle tanks and attack helicopters. The General Staff has already authorized the Defense Ministry instead of the SSM to conduct negotiations with foreign companies for the procurement of several military purchases. The latest development of this kind occurred when the General Staff authorized the Ministry of Defense to oversee the purchase of an additional second batch eight S-70B-28 Sea Hawk and four CH-60S Knight Hawk helicopters from the U.S. United Technologies-Sikorsky. The Defense Ministry released a directorate on May 1998 that gave more responsibility to the ministry than to the SSM on defense procurement as well as on research and development activities. The lack of a considerable in-country defense industrial base was the main reason behind the establishment of the SSM. It was established by parliamentary legislation No: 3238 in 1985 to set up a new defense acquisition system which foresaw competition among foreign and local companies in defense procurement projects. The military-dominated defense procurement activities not only represent a return to the old days when the procurement system was not open to competition, but also represent a step back from the worldwide trend of more civilian and professional defense industry activity. Military-dominated defense procurement is also against the very basic principles of free competition among bidding companies, recalled a senior defense industry source. The Ministry of Defense Undersecretariat and the SSM are the two legal bodies responsible for the procurement of and joint production of arms, respectively. The Defense Ministry Undersecretariat is in charge of direct procurement, while the SSM is mainly involved in major joint production projects. The SSM is a subordinate organization of the Ministry of Defense, having a corporate body with a special budget created through the Defense Industry Support Fund. But when there is a fund shortage at the ministry, the SSM also makes direct purchases. Since its establishment, the SSM has put into force more than 48 projects worth over $13 billion while enabling the opening of seven new defense installations. It has launched over 23 R&D projects, concluding about 15.
For Turkey to be in the EMD phase, or what is called level three, it must pay approximately $300 million and will be favored if it increases cooperation with the United States including the purchase of U.S.-built equipment, according to a U.S. defense industry source. Turkey is intending to replace its oldest batch of 160 F-16C/D Block 30/40 fighter aircraft, which will come to the end of their service lives in 2015, with the JSF. The JSF is among United States' most important programs for modernizing combat aircraft and will replace both the F-16 and British-built Harrier. The project to build the JSF is currently in the definition phase and development is expected to begin in 2001, with the first deliveries planned to be completed between 2007 and 2010. Great Britain and several other NATO member states and Israel and Singapore are taking part in the program at different levels of production. The Turkish Defense Industries Undersecretariat (SSM) will hold an industry day, possibly in the middle of this month, between Boeing, Lockheed Martin, General Electric, Pratt and Whitney and Turkish defense industry companies. The aim of the industry day is to discuss with the visiting companies' delegations what type of contribution Turkey can make in the JSF program. The JSF project is in the Concept Demonstration Phase (CDP) of development which will end on March 2001, said the U.S. official. That is when the primary weapon system contractor will be selected; Boeing or Lockheed Martin, and the program will enter the EMD phase. Currently, invitation letter has been issued to current co-operative partners to begin negotiations for entering into the EMD phase of the JSF program. "It is very possible that in the future Turkey will be invited to begin negotiations to participate as a cooperative partner with the United States during the upcoming phase of the JSF program, which will begin on March 2001," said the U.S official. Turkey has entered into foreign military sales of approximately $6.2 million for the CDP of the JSF project. It has so far paid $1.5 million of the agreed amount. |
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As
speculations increase over the continued postponement of Turkey's
selection of a contractor or contractors in its multi-billion dollar
attack helicopter co production project, Lockheed Martin of the United
States has made a deal with the Turkish Defense Industries
Undersecretariat (SSM) to sell 216 AGM-114K Hellfire-II antitank
missiles to equip Turkish Super Cobra helicopters. The project is valued
at approximately $16 million.
After
successful flight tests, ELTA, a subsidiary of Israel Aircraft
Industries, Ltd (IAI), has begun serial production of the multi-mode
airborne fire control radar (FCR). The FCR was developed for the F-4
Turkish Upgrade Program. ELTA's share in the program is valued at about
$150 million. Designated as EL/M-2032 the FCR was designed " By
Pilots, for Pilots" oriented for, both air-to-air and
air-to-ground strike missions. In air-to-air modes, the FCR is able to
operate in Look-up and Look-down geometric enabling long range target
detection and tracking for weapon (missile) delivery or target
acquisition in close combat situations. As such, the FCR is able to cope
with any existing threat in its area. The high resolution capabilities
of the FCR are used mainly for air-to-ground missions. The air-to-ground
modes include surface (ground and sea) target detection, ranging,
terrain avoidance and high resolution mapping by DBS and Spot SAR.
Despite
Turkey's desire to upgrade its status in the U.S. Joint Strike Fighter
(JSF) program it has been facing problems in finding the required $300
million financing it needs to be included in the Engineering and
Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase. 
Russia's state-run
Rosvooruzhenie company defended its Mi-17 helicopters used by the
Turkish Gendarmerie Command and denied that problems were being
experienced by pilots flying the aircraft in southeastern Turkey. 
The
United States has told Turkey that it can not guarantee any workshare to
any country interested in the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program, but
said that Turkish industrialists should convince their U.S. partners to
let them take a piece of the project. Turkey, which is currently
participating as a 'Foreign Military Sales Major Participant' in the JSF
Program has expressed interest in entering into a cooperative agreement
with the United States as a partner in the Engineering and Manufacturing
Development (EMD) phase of the program. 
Turkish
Naval Command plans to issue a Request for Information for its future
Turkish light aircraft carrier (TCVL). Initially, The Navy started to
collect technical information necessary for RfI from international
shipyards leader in the aircraft carrier building. According to the
preliminary data, Turkey wants to V/STOL capability in a light ship
(10-15.000 ton) carrying combine air wing of 15 JSF and 6 CH-60S Knight
Hawk as well as UAV/UCAV systems. Turkish Navy aims to form two naval
air group in near future: a TCVL and a Turkish Landing Helicopter
Platform (TLHP), both will be protected by state-of the art TF-2000
anti-air warfare frigates.
Fires
of state-of the art 100 % Turkish Artillery Rocket System TOROS (TOpcu ROket Sistemi),
which has been developed by Turkish Defense Industry Research &
Development Center (TUBITAK SAGE) with supports of Machinery and
Chemistry Institute of Turkey (MKEK), were successfully performed at
Turkish Air Forces air defense fire test field in Sile, Istanbul. Three
TOROS-230A (one of them from one canister, two from six-rounded
fixed-launcher) rockets were launched to the target area on Black Sea.
They reached to the its theoretical 65km-range on target in 143 seconds.
One TOROS-260A rocket were successfully launched from one-cell steel
canister and reached 100km-away target in 167 seconds. 
The
Turkish Armed Forces (TSK), which has been in a state of confusion for
some time over what kind of missile strategy to adopt under the threat
of a potential ballistic missile attack primarily from its southeastern
neighbors, is said to be interested in the U.S. two-tier anti-ballistic
missile strategy. "The
Turkish military has been confused for some time, but now they are at
the point of deciding what missile systems to acquire. From now on the
debate will concentrate on how to obtain anti-ballistic missiles,"
said one source. 
An Israeli team visited Turkey again late last month to brief
defense officials on its
M-60A1/M-60A3 SABRA main battle tank upgrade proposal. Turkey's upgrade requirement is expected to be worth at least $300 million initially, but could exceed $1 billion if it decides to
modernize its entire
fleet.
US
Congress has approved the sale of an FFG-7 Oliver Hazard Perry
(short-hull type) frigate to the Turkish Navy. With this latest
addition, the Perry-class (F-490 G-class in Turkish Navy) frigates
purchased by the Turkish Naval forces will increase to six. The
ship (ex-USN FFG-19 USS John A Moore), commissioned in 1981, will be decommissioned
earlier than previously planned schedule on August 2000. 
A
change of command ceremony was held yesterday at Turkish
civilian-controlled Undersecretariat for the Defense Industry (SSM).
Controversial but civilian SSM Undersecretary Yalcin Burcak handed over
his post to physics Professor Dursun Ali Ercan, a retired former captain
and classmate of many high-ranking generals in the Turkish Armed Forces
(TSK). 
Turkey,
which is currently a major participant in "foreign military
sales" in the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program, has expressed
interest in entering into a cooperative agreement with the United States
as a partner in the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD)
phase of the project.