ANKARA - A ceremony was held at TUSAS Aerospace Industries (TAI) facilities in Ankara on the occasion of delivery of the first major component of the forward-center fuselage of the A400M military air lifter to Bremen, Germany.
Turkish National Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul has indicated that A400M program provided a significant cooperation between Turkish and European defense industries.
TAI's structural work package includes forward-center fuselage, paratroop doors and hatch doors, tail cone and top shell on rear fuselage, ailerons/spoilers, whereas the systems work package comprises lighting and water/waste systems.
TAI has been participating in the design and feasibility activities of the A400M program, as ''National Industrial Institution'' representing Turkey since the beginning of the program.
The contract of the A400M program, which is considered to be an important step towards the integration of the Turkish industry into the European aviation industry, was signed in May 2003. Within the framework of the program, a total of 180 A400M aircraft will be produced and delivered to the launch customers namely; Belgium, France, Germany , Luxembourg, Spain, Turkey and Britain.