DEFENSE INVESTMENTS IN 2001 ANKARA - The 2001 year is expected to be the investment year of the defense industry.
Sources said on Monday that Turkey will put the prior defense projects into practice in 2001 if Treasury gives the necessary approval.
Within scope of the supply and investment projects with defensive purposes, the licensor companies will be selected for the 145 strike helicopters and 1000 new generation tanks projects that will strengthen the logistic structure of the Turkish Armed Forces.
Domestic contribution to these two projects will be high. These two projects will cost ten billion U.S. dollars and be financed by the Defense Industry funds.
After the assessment of the Defense Industry Undersecretariat, the negotiations with the American Bell Textron company for the 145 strike helicopters started, and these talks are expected to be finalized early in 2001.
In case of a failure in negotiations with the Bell Textron, the negotiations will continue with the Israeli-Russian consortium.
The selection of the licensor company for production of 250 of the 1000 new generation tanks will be made early in 2001. German, Freanch, U.S. and Ukranian companies are bidding for the five billion U.S. dollars project.
Meanwhile, the tender for purchase of four Awacs planes will also be finalized. The estimated cost of the project is 1.5 billion U.S. dollars and American Boeing and Rahthean companies are bidding for the tender.
Besides, Turkey will take the final decision about production of 32 F-16 planes next year. If the Air Forces Commandership makes such a request, the Turkish Aerospace and Industries (TAI) will start preparations for production of this third tranche planes.
Meanwhile, the C-130 cargo planes modernization project will be finalized early in 2001. Ten companies are bidding for this tender, and nearly 30 million U.S. dollars investment will be made within scope of this modernization project. Ж