Defence

Turkey is to launch exclusive negotiations with Korea Aerospace Industries for a fleet of 36 KT-1 basic trainers, with the country's SSM procurement agency having last week eliminated Embraer's EMB-314 Super Tucano from a two-way competition.

A KAI source speaking at the show declined to confirm the selection, but said the company was "90% certain" that it would successfully conclude negotiations on the order, which is expected to also include 19 options.

The SSM has called for deliveries of the new basic trainer fleet to start by 2008, with the aircraft to be supported by a ground-based training system to be developed by an industry group led by Turkey's Havelsan.

If confirmed, the Turkish sale will be the second export success for the KT-1, which has previously been selected by the Indonesian air force. The aircraft is also in service with the South Korean air force.