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"Turkey is to begin producing its first national helicopter within the next five years as authorities have already launched a program for its design and development.
The plan is to produce a helicopter weighing less than 5,500 kg which will be designed by Turkish engineers using customised subsystems.
It's expected to be able to compete with international markets through price and performance, although it will initially be marketed within the country before being released to international buyers.
The defence procurement agency in Turkey is due to send out formal requests for proposals to international manufacturers willing to cooperate with Turkey over this project, and the programme is expected to cost the country billions of dollars over the next few decades.
Apparently Turkey is looking for a foreign partner who will bring marketing advantages to the helicopter program as although officials feel the country has the capability to manufacture the helicopter it would be beneficial to find a company which has large marketing capabilities in third party markets.
The head of the helicopter program has already stated their aim is to see the first helicopter in the air within the next five years, and apparently budget planning has already been completed.
The aim is to use the helicopter for both civilian and military purposes, and Turkey is the world's ninth largest helicopter market so it makes perfect sense for the country to try and boost its local industry.
In a separate agreement, Turkey recently signed a government to government deal with the United States to purchase six heavy lift military transport helicopters with the contract being worth around $400 million. These vehicles will be the first in Turkey's inventory.
