Aircraft

Turkey has increased its requirement for Boeing CH-47F Chinook transport helicopters from 10 to 14 aircraft, with its undersecretariat for defence industries, the SSM, having added four for special forces applications.

Turkish officials visited Boeing's Philadelphia production facilities during August to test the CH-47F. A letter of request has now been issued, and a contract signature is expected by mid-2010 via the USA's Foreign Military Sales mechanism.

The Turkish army will receive 10 transports, with the remainder to be equipped with search and rescue equipment to support special forces operations.

© Boeing
The US Army is launch operator for the new CH-47F

Turkey's aircraft will receive comunication, navigation and forward-looking infrared systems manufactured by local companies including Aselsan, with Turkish Aerospace Industries to install the equipment.

Ankara launched its search for a heavy transport helicopter in 1997, but has twice cancelled the process.