’Flying castles’ on the way
Güncelleme Tarihi:
Anatolia News Agency
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Mart 02, 2009 00:00
ANKARA - Turkey will receive its first A-400M military transport aircraft, seen as one of the biggest projects in the history of the Turkish defense industry, in 2010 as deliveries of the aircraft will start this year.
The production of the aircraft will be undertaken with the cooperation of eight European countries, including Turkey. The production program, launched due to the insufficient capacity and range of European countries’ military transport aircraft, will be completed by 2012.
Turkey, which is among the launch-customer countries, will purchase 10 A-400M between 2009 and 2021. According to the program, France will receive delivery of the first A-400M in 2009 and the second will be given to Turkey in 2010. The biggest customer in the project will be Germany with 60 planes, while France has ordered 50 planes, Spain 27, Britain 25, Belgium seven and Luxembourg one.
Alternative to the US
Turkey signed the partnership contract to receive A-400Ms in 2003.
Having both tactical and strategic capabilities, A-400Ms have a 37-ton capacity and a total range of 8,695 kilometers. The A-400Ms were developed by European countries as an alternative to the C-130 Hercules made by the United States.
Previously, reports said the delivery of the A-400M would be delayed for years amid technical and administrative obstacles. Last month the European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company, or EADS, announced the first flight of the A400M, which had been planned for the end of the year, had been postponed to an indefinite date and depended on tests on the aircraft engine and the readiness of the propulsion system.
Turkey, which is among the launch-customer countries, will purchase 10 A-400M between 2009 and 2021. According to the program, France will receive delivery of the first A-400M in 2009 and the second will be given to Turkey in 2010. The biggest customer in the project will be Germany with 60 planes, while France has ordered 50 planes, Spain 27, Britain 25, Belgium seven and Luxembourg one.
Alternative to the US
Turkey signed the partnership contract to receive A-400Ms in 2003.
Having both tactical and strategic capabilities, A-400Ms have a 37-ton capacity and a total range of 8,695 kilometers. The A-400Ms were developed by European countries as an alternative to the C-130 Hercules made by the United States.
Previously, reports said the delivery of the A-400M would be delayed for years amid technical and administrative obstacles. Last month the European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company, or EADS, announced the first flight of the A400M, which had been planned for the end of the year, had been postponed to an indefinite date and depended on tests on the aircraft engine and the readiness of the propulsion system.