From: Press Agency Ozgurluk <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [Ozgurluk] Turkey/Nato: Opportunism TURKEY LAUNCHES ROLE IN A-400 TRANSPORT ANKARA [MENL] -- Turkey has launched participation in the European Union's military transport jet program. Officials said two major Turkish companies have been slated to participate in the design, development and manufacturing of the A-400 M project. The project by eight EU countries is meant to produce a large transport aircraft for military use. The two Turkish companies are Turkish Aerospace Industries and Turkish Engine Industry. Ankara has pledged to purchase 10 A-400 M transports. Germany has pledged to purchase 73 aircraft; France, 50; Spain, 27; Britain, 25; Italy, 16, Belgium. 8 and Portugal, 3. Officials said they hope the EU project will increase military ties between Ankara and the EU. They said the project will also help revive the nation's aerospace industry, which has sustained the shock of Turkey's economic crisis. A contract for the A-400 M is expected for signing in October. Airbus Military Co. is the prime contractor and the first delivery of the transport will take place in 2007. Officials said Turkey's participation in the project has been set at 4.7 percent. TAI will have a 5.7 percent share. At the same time, TEI is holding talks with the A-400 M engine consortium on the share by the Turkish company in the program. _________________________________________________ KOMINFORM P.O. Box 66 00841 Helsinki Phone +358-40-7177941 Fax +358-9-7591081 http://www.kominf.pp.fi General class struggle news: [EMAIL PROTECTED] subscribe mails to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Geopolitical news: [EMAIL PROTECTED] subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] __________________________________________________
