Türkiye Orders 17 Additional Seahawk Helicopters for Naval Fleet

Sikorsky Aircraft has finalized a contract with Türkiye's Defense Industries Undersecretariat (SSM) to supply 17 S-70B Seahawk naval helicopters, bringing the Turkish Navy's total Seahawk fleet to 24 aircraft. Initial deliveries are expected to begin in 2009.

SSM Undersecretary Murad Bayar highlighted that Sikorsky committed to a 50 percent offset obligation under the deal, directing jobs and advanced technology into Turkish industry.

Sikorsky President Jeffrey Pino called the agreement a foundation for deeper industrial cooperation, noting that the company has already delivered more than 100 BlackHawk helicopters to Türkiye under earlier programs.

The S-70B is an internationally adapted version of the U.S. Navy's SH-60B. It features a fully integrated glass cockpit, multifunction displays, and a mission management system. Its weapons and sensor suite includes dipping sonar, FLIR, multi-code radar, and Penguin and Hellfire missiles. The helicopter is capable of search and rescue, medical evacuation, surveillance, and utility missions.

Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in November 2006, in its own words.