DELIVERY OF RUSSIAN HELICOPTERS TO TURKEY DISCUSSED

PanArmenian News
Dec 6 2004

06.12.2004 17:43

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Yesterday Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in
Turkey. Today when visiting the mausoleum of K. Ataturk he said that he
reveres the memory of “the outstanding son of the Turkish people”. As
reported by Novie Izvestia Russian newspaper, Russia and Turkey are
going to discuss the possibility of license production of Ka-50-2
“Erdogan” Russian helicopters in Turkey. The matter concerns possible
signing of a $2.5-3 billion contract providing for supplying Turkey
with 145 helicopters constructed on the basis of famous Ka-50 (Black
Shark) by Kamov Public Corporation, the newspaper writes. However,
Radical Turkish newspaper says that Turkish leading experts recommend
the government to refrain from signing of the contract on the supply
of Ka-50-2 “Erdogan” and negotiate with Moscow on possible delivery
of other type of war machines – Mi-38H helicopters constructed by the
Moscow Helicopter Plant after Mil and Rostvertol Public Corporation
(Rostov-on-Don, Russia). These helicopters are supplied with board
radio-electronic equipment, “Attack” guided missile as well as with
“air-air” rockets. The problem, however, lies in the fact that the
Russian army will receive Mi-28H helicopter, also called “Night
Hunter” in 2007 only. “Anyway, it is not ruled out that Putin will
convince the Turkish authorities to purchase Ka-50-2 “Erdogan”,
Novie Izvestia added.