Turkey's National Defense Minister Holds Talks In Italy

MILAN - Turkish Defense Minister, who is currently holding a series of talks in Italy, paid a visit to the facilities of a leading Italian defense industry company in Milan on Thursday.
During Minister Vecdi Gonul's visit, representatives of Agusta Westland, the Italian rotorcraft company that won Turkish attack helicopter tender in 2007, briefed the minister on the activities carried in the facilities.
Gonul, who arrived in Italy on Wednesday upon the invitation of Agusta Westland, is expected to return to Turkey on Friday.
In March 2007, Agusta Westland won Turkey's attack helicopter tender in which South Africa's Denel was the other bidder.
A contract for the 3-billion-USD project, signed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) and Agusta Aerospace, took effect last month.
TAI will be the local prime contractor, Turkey's Aselsan and Italian company Agusta will be the subcontractors of the project to manufacture 50 plus 41 Tactical Reconnaissance and Attack Helicopter (ATAK-T129) for the Turkish Land Forces.
Helicopters will be manufactured by means of national software and hardware systems. Agusta Westland will provide the engine, the flight control system and the aircraft position monitoring system.
(DO-CE)
(GEN)