Ten Alenia Aeronatica ATR-72/500's To Fly Maritime Patrol And ASW Surveillance

Alenia Aeronautica, a Finmeccanica company, has been selected by the Undersecretariat for Defence Industries of Turkey for the supply to the Navy of ten ATR72 ASW (Anti-Submarine Warfare) aircraft, which will carry out maritime patrol and anti-submarine surveillance missions. Final contract negotiations for the purchase should be completed shortly.

The ATR-72s that Turkey will purchase are special versions of the aircraft configured with a Thales mission system The ASW version. The ATR-72 was designed as a cost-competitive medium-range aircraft. The ASW version is capable of carrying out anti-submarine missions, with the integration of the maritime patrol functions already implemented by the ATR42 MP, the Maritime Patrol version currently in service with the Italian Guardia di Finanza (Customs Police) and the Coast Guard.

“This success is particularly rewarding for us since Turkey is a highly qualified Country in its choices of technological products and in the defence field." said Giorgio Zappa, Finmeccanica’s Chief Operating Officer and Alenia Aeronautica’ Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Considering the already very good relationship between Italy and Turkey, the ATR72 selection means a great deal for the Finmeccanica Group’s future successes and, at the same time, funds the basis for further international collaborations with the Thales Group and the Turkish industry. Special thanks go to the extraordinary and effective support action of the Italian Government, which confirms the new strategy of Italian trade within the international scenario.”

Alenia Aeronautica is also responsible for the promotion of the Eurofighter Typhoon ot the Turkish government. The Typhoon is the European fighter manufactured by the Italian company, in collaboration with BAE Systems and EADS. The program involves 400 companies and 120,000 employees in Europe.

FMI: www.alenia-aeronautica.it, www.dzkk.tsk.mil.tr/English/AnaSayfa.asp