Finmeccanica to take part in IDEF 2015

Finmeccanica takes part in IDEF 2015, the International Defence Industry Fair, which is held from 5 to 8 May in Istanbul, Turkey.
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For Finmeccanica, Turkey is first and foremost an industrial partner rather than just a potential market. Over the years, close collaboration between Group companies and their Turkish counterparts has led to a solid industrial partnership that extends to the defence and security sectors as well as civil programmes. The activities range from helicopters for military and commercial applications to training and maritime patrol aircraft, radar (both air traffic control and air defence), communications and naval systems. Finmeccanica has its representative office in Ankara to strengthen the Group’s presence in the country. 

HELICOPTERS 

Finmeccanica-AgustaWestland boasts a longstanding and fruitful presence in Turkey since the early sixties, through multiple orders of aircraft for commercial and military purposes and industrial cooperation and partnerships, leading to the sale of nearly 280 helicopters of various types so far. Military and government operators have since the seventies included the Turkish Land Forces, Air Force, Gendarmerie, Navy and Coast Guard with deliveries of a significant number of various models such as the AB204, AB205, AB206, AB212 and AB412EP. AgustaWestland has long contributed to the development of Turkish aviation industry through its joint working with Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI). This partnership is based on the AW139 helicopter, the world bestselling intermediate twin for which TAI has been manufacturing a certain number of fuselages each year since 2004, and on the T129 combat helicopter, the result of a strong partnership with TAI and other Turkish industrial players. The T129 programme, started with the selection of AgustaWestland in 2007 and TAI as prime contractor to meet a specific Turkish Land Forces Command’s requirement, is now based on total orders for 60 units and options for further 40 units, and is in progress with deliveries ongoing started in 2014. The T129 is the most modern and advanced combat helicopter today available and is perfectly suited for the international market. Furthermore, AgustaWestland has also partnered with Havelsan to offer advanced training solutions. AgustaWestland has also experienced a significant growth in the Turkish commercial helicopter market in recent years. Almost 30 new generation commercial helicopters of different types including AW119, AW109 Power, Grand/GrandNew, AW139, AW169 and AW189 have been ordered in Turkey by various customers mainly to perform executive/corporate transport, air tours, aerial works and emergency medical service missions. Finmeccanica-AgustaWestland is attending IDEF 2015 showcasing the AW169 light intermediate 4.5 ton class, the AW139 intermediate twin and the AW189 super medium twin helicopter.  

AERONAUTICS 

Finmeccanica-Alenia Aermacchi experiences an historical collaboration relationships with Turkey in the field of primary training aircraft. Moreover, in July 2012 the company signed a contract to supply the Turkish Navy with two ATR 72-600 TMUA (Turkish Maritime Utility Aircraft), delivered in 2013, and of six ATR 72-600 TMPA (Turkish Maritime Patrol Aircraft), to be delivered between 2017 and 2018. The TMPA aircraft are made in collaboration between Alenia Aermacchi and the Turkish industry TAI. At IDEF Alenia Aermacchi displays its leading-edge products: the advanced trainer M-346 with its integrated training system, the multi-mission tactical transport aircraft MC-27J, the swing-role fighter Eurofighter Typhoon and the Superjet 100, the new-generation 100-seat regional jet, designed, developed and manufactured by SCAC (Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company), a joint venture participated by Alenia Aermacchi. The Superjet 100 could represent the ideal platform for a cooperation within the programme that will provide Turkey with a regional transport commercial aircraft. The twin-engine M-346 aircraft, the market leader in its category and already ordered by Italy, Poland, Singapore and a Middle East country, for a total of 59 aircraft, is offered with a Ground-Based Training System (GBTS) that includes specific simulators and computer-based didactic devices, able to guarantee highly effective training classes, while allowing air forces to achieve significant cost reductions. The M-346 trainer, that can also be configured in the “operational role” version, represents the optimum solution for the Turkish Air Force, and could also bring benefits to the local aeronautical industry’s complex, thanks to the technological transfer of know how including the design phase, certification and marketing. The C-27J tactical transport aircraft - now also available in the MC-27J multi-mission version equipped with mission-pallet kits (Roll-On/Roll-Off equipment) for both

Finmeccanica is Italy’s leading manufacturer in the high technology sector and ranks among the top ten global players in Aerospace, Defence and Security. Listed on the Milan Stock Exchange, in 2014 Finmeccanica generated revenues of 14.6 billion Euro. With 273 locations and production facilities in 20 countries, Finmeccanica is a multinational and multicultural group which boasts a significant presence in four domestic markets: Italy, the United Kingdom, the U.S. and Poland.

DEFENCE ELECTRONICS AND SECURITY 

Finmeccanica-Selex ES is active and present in Turkey since 30 years, offering a wide range of advanced defence and security solutions. Over the years, Selex ES, as a global defence and security player, has developed and manufactured equipment and designed solutions for land, naval and air applications in Turkey. Among the most important successes, Selex ES has manufactured and delivered thousands of secure HF radios for the Turkish Armed Forces. At IDEF 2015 Selex ES is showcasing the ASSD (Airborne and Space Systems Division) to show the entire airborne ISTAR capabilities of the company and the well proven aerial target system Mirach 100/5. In the land and naval domain, besides a video displaying the C band, AESA multifunction Kronos radar family, the company presents its optronic capabilities by showcasing Horizon, an ultra-long range thermal imaging camera, and the new Firefly Camera Core, based on a HOT (High Operating Temperature) technology. Cyber security portfolio will also be presented through a couple of displays showcasing Selex ES solutions and technologies which can all be tailored to the needs of military, government and commercial organizations. Selex ES, in this key emerging domain, has the advantage of exploiting the wealth of expertise and experience gained in leading large programs like the NATO Computer Incident Response Capability (NCIRC). 

DEFENCE SYSTEMS 

Turkey is one of the oldest and most affectionate customers of Finmeccanica-OTO Melara. The Armed Forces of the Country have always shown a great confidence in the Company’s products, especially naval artilleries, equipping a remarkable number of vessels, in service both with the Navy and Coast Guard, with OTO Melara systems: 40L70 Twin Compact and 30mm turrets, 76/62 Compact guns. OTO Melara has some products under production for the Turkish users, others under negotiation and many future perspectives. Among the first category, it is worth mentioning, through a contract signed by AgustaWestland and the Turkish company TAI, the supply of 53 TM197B airborne turrets for the ATAK helicopters program for which OTO Melara is also providing the relevant spare parts and maintenance equipment. Many contracts have been signed with Turkish shipyards: the last one was with ADIK, in December 2012, for the supply of four further 40L70 Single Fast Forty naval turrets to be installed on the newly built Landing Ship Tanks (LST). The 40L70 Single Fast Forty is now also subject of a negotiation with the Turkish shipyard SEDEF for the new LPD vessels that the shipyard is building for the Turkish Navy. Regarding the future naval programs of the Navy, OTO Melara is in an excellent position to meet all the customer’s requests. In the next two or three years, the Turkish Defence Ministry will issue various tenders for the national construction of new ships: the MILGEM-S class of corvettes, the patrol boats that are going to replace the old Dogan and Kartal class ones, and also a possible tender for new TF2000 class frigates: OTO Melara is ready to propose a whole range of calibers, from 20mm up to 127/64, that perfectly meet the customer’s requirements together with the new guided ammunition, ahead of any competitor in the world. Moreover the Turkish Army has shown interest in guided ammunition for the in service 155 mm artilleries and possible cooperation agreements with local companies for the local production are under evaluation. At IDEF OTO Melara presents for the first time to the public the new 20mm Gunship to be installed on cargo planes for which commercial contacts with the Turkish aeronautic company TAI have already started. Together with the Gunship, the Company will exhibit the front part of the Strales mock up and the whole range of guided ammunition.