04.08.2004, 09:24
Zitat:Turkey Commissions Tank Program Feasibility StudyQuelle: <!-- w --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.network54.com/Forum/thread?forumid=248068&messageid=1091572572&lp=1091573890">www.network54.com/Forum/thread?forumid= ... 1091573890</a><!-- w -->
BY BURAK EGE BEKDIL, ANKARA
Turkey’s procurement office has signed a contract with a team of local armored vehicle manufacturers to deliver a feasibility report that will shape the future of the country’s ambitious main battle tank program.
Under the deal, the Undersecretariat for Defense Industries, or Savunma Sanayi Mustesarligi (SSM) in Turkish, has commissioned FNSS, here; Otokar, Arifiye; and BMC, Manisa, to produce a report on development of a third-generation tank. The duration of the project is six to eight months.
“During that time, we will have intensive contacts with foreign tank manufacturers as well as possible Turkish sub-contractors and military plants where the new model can be manufactured,” a senior company official involved with the deal said Aug. 3.
Both the companies involved and SSM officials declined to discuss the contract's value.
An SSM official said the deal marks the beginning of a renewed contract for third-generation tanks. “The final report will be the basic guideline for the tank program,” he said.
SSM Undersecretary Murad Bayar told reporters July 28 the program is an effort to meet Turkey’s need for third-generation battle tanks after 2010.
In May, Turkey’s top defense panel, the Defense Industry Executive Committee, canceled bidding on a $3 billion co-production deal for an initial batch of 250 main battle tanks.