Turkey New Anti-Missile System

Turkey said Saturday it was open to new bids in its plan to acquire its first long-range anti-missile system, should its controversial negotiations with China come to nothing.

“It is not a finalized deal yet. If US and European companies make us better offers, we will continue to talk with them,” said Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, who was quoted by Turkish newspapers.

Last month, in a move that irritated Turkey’s allies in NATO, particularlythe United States, Ankara announced it was entering talks with the China Precision Machinery Export-Import Corporation (CPMIEC) to buy a long-range anti-missile system.

The US said it had “serious concerns” about the deal estimated at $4 billion (2.9 billion euros). Over the past decade the US has hit the Chinese company with a series of sanctions for selling arms and missile technology to Iran and Syria.

CPMIEC, which makes the HQ-9 missile system, beat out competition

from a US partnership of Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, Russia’s Rosoboronexport, and Italian-French consortium Eurosam.

Davutoglu said Turkey had ruled out the Russian company but not the other two. “If offers more suitable for us are formulated, our relevant authorities will evaluate them,” the minister added.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday defended the decision to enter into talks with China. “Nobody has the right to intervene in (Turkey’s) independent decisions,” he said.

Turkish intel chief should be assassinated

Turkish intelligence MIT chief Hakan Fidan and his boss seem to be reversing Mustafa Kemal Ataturk's secular policies. 

Jewish Press journalist suggested Turkish intelligence chief should be assassinated

Jewish Press journalist Yori Yanover suggested Turkish intelligence chief Hakan Fidan should be assassinated.

In the last article, Yanover wrote: “If anyone deserves to find a special surprise in his car one morning, it's [Hakan] Fidan, the Turkish spy chief. He is a key Erdoğan man, who was handed the MIT [National Intelligence Organization] in 2010”

Washington Post columnist David Ignatius said Israel apparently used to run part of its Iranian spy network out of Turkey, giving Turkish secret services the opportunity to monitor their movements. The paper quoted U.S. officials as saying Israel believed the Turks would never turn on the Jewish state after years of cooperation.

However, it said that in early 2012 Erdogan disclosed to Tehran the identities of 10 Iranians who had travelled to Turkey to meet Israeli spies.

Iran has long accused Israel of spying on it soil and of killing several Iranian nuclear scientists - the last in January 2012.

US State Department Spokesperson Jen Psaki Thursday said that the US and Turkey continued to work closely on eintelligence activities while declining to comment on a recent report that Ankara thwarted Israeli intelligence efforts in 2012.

Turkish military claims interception of Russian spy plane

Two Turkish fighter jets have been recently scrambled to intercept a Russian military plane in international airspace over the Black Sea in a rare air incident between the two countries, the Turkish military said, according to RIA Novosti.

The General Staff of the Turkish Armed Forces said in a statement on Wednesday that two F-16 jets were scrambled on Tuesday afternoon to prevent a potential violation of Turkish airspace after a Russian Ilyushin II-20 plane was detected flying in parallel to Turkish coast.

The Turkish aircraft monitored the Russian plane until it left the area heading to the Bulgarian border, the statement added.

It is not clear why the Russian plane approached the Turkish airspace as the Russian Defense Ministry has not yet commented on the incident.

The Ilyushin Il-20 (NATO designation Coot-A) is a Soviet-era reconnaissance aircraft designed to carry out a variety of electronic and communications intelligence missions.

Around 20 Il-20’s were reportedly built between 1969 and 1976, but their remaining number in service with the Russian Air Force is unknown.

Japan and Sweden reported in the past similar interceptions of Il-20 planes flying close to their airspace.

Turkey To Add Satcom Capability to Anka

ANKA Medium Altitude Long Endurance UAV System provides the Turkish Army with a long-endurance and persistent ISR capability.

ANKARA — Turkey will add satcom capabilities to the Anka, the country’s first indigenously built UAV, according to a top procurement official.

Murad Bayar, head of the Undersecretariat for Defense Industries, said the Anka’s design would evolve over time after consultations with the Air Force about what modification or additions might be needed.

“The most critical modification from the original design will be the satcom capability, which we have decided to add to the aircraft,” Bayar said.

A procurement source familiar with the program said that satcom is considered to be an ideal solution for UAV operations.

“We have come to the conclusion that satcom would be a critical enabler of UAV operations,” he said. “It will enable extended-range data capture and transfer. A kind of multiplier, in a way.”

Bayar said the country’s engine parts manufacturer, Turkish Engine Industries (TEI), has been tasked with developing an engine for the Anka after Chinese group Avic International’s acquisition of Thielert, a bankrupt German maker of diesel engines for aircraft and the supplier of engines for the Anka.

Avic has said it plans to fold Thielert into its Continental Motors division and is giving up military business. Deliveries have stopped, the state-run Chinese company announced in August.

Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), which developed the Anka, had ordered the Centurion engine for a batch of 10 aircraft, but now must look elsewhere.

“We are not concerned” about delays due to the engine problem, Bayar said. “TEI’s research and development program for an engine could be a solution. Alternatively, we could consider an engine like [the German] Rotax, or modify an existing automobile engine for the Anka.”

Bayar said that SSM would sign a contract for the acquisition of an initial batch of 10 Ankas “very soon.”

The Anka passed acceptance tests late in January. The final, decisive tests on Jan. 20-21 involved a full endurance, 18-hour flight, successful auto landing, data link performance at a distance of 200 kilometers under winds up to 45 knots, and night take-offs and landings. The Anka has completed more than 150 flight hours.

The Anka is a medium-altitude, long-endurance drone. Such UAVsusually can operate for 24 hours at an altitude of 10,000 feet.

NATO wants say in Turkey-China missile deal

NATO’s chief said Tuesday he hoped Turkey would keep in mind the military alliance’s views as it mulls a missile defence deal with China.

Anders Fogh Rasmussen said NATO member Turkey could buy equipment from any source after Ankara raised the possibility of accepting a Chinese bid to build its first long-range anti-missile system.

“Our position is very clear. It’s a national decision to decide which equipment to purchase,” Rasmussen told a press conference at the close of the first day of a two-day NATO defence ministers meeting.

“However, seen from a NATO perspective, it’s of utmost importance that the systems nations plan to acquire can work and operate together with similar systems in other Allied nations,” he said.

“I feel confident Turkey is aware of this NATO position and… will take that into account before taking the final decision.”

Turkey’s Defence Minister Ismet Yilmaz told the Vatan newspaper earlier this month China had provided the best price.

A Chinese company beat competition from a US partnership of Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, Russia’s Rosoboronexport, and the Italian-French consortium Eurosamrs for a deal worth some $4.0 billion.

NATO member Turkey is a key regional ally to the United States and currently has US-built Patriot missile systems deployed on its border to deter incoming attacks from Syria.

Rasmussen said ministers from the 28 member states had discussed missile defence against attacks from outside the Euro-Atlantic area, a reference in the past taken to mean Iran although the secretary general named no country.

The next step in the missile defence system will see a “groundbreaking for the land-based Aegis system” in Romania by the end of October,” he said.

Russia has voiced strong opposition to the missile defence plans, fearing they could jeopardise its own security.

Its Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu is likely to raise the issue on Wednesday when he meets his NATO counterparts in the NATO-Russia Council.

Rasmussen said ministers also discussed increased cooperation, a necessary step to offset the impact of ever tighter military budgets, and increased large-scale exercises.

Turkey Reduces Length of Compulsory

 Turkey’s Islamic-rooted government will reduce compulsory military service to 12 months next year, the deputy prime minister said Monday.

Around 70,000 conscripts are expected to be discharged early as a result of the decision, which the opposition has criticized as an election tactic ahead of next year’s polls.

“We have agreed to shorten the military service for conscripts from 15 to 12 months beginning from January 1, 2014,” Bulent Arinc told reporters after a cabinet meeting.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said earlier he had reached an agreement with the military to reduce the length of conscription, which is mandatory for all Turkish men older than 20.

Turkey’s army, the second largest in NATO, comprises around 750,000 men, of whom 500,000 are conscripts.

The country has been battling a Kurdish rebellion for self-rule in the southeast since 1984.

Turkey To Reissue F-35 Orde

Back On: Turkey suspended its order for two F-35 joint strike fighters this year, citing costs and technological issues. 

ANKARA — Turkey’s procurement authorities will reissue an order for the first two F-35 joint strike fighters the country intended to buy but suspended at the beginning of this year.

“We will submit a request to the Defense Industry Executive Committee in December or January to renew our order for the first two aircraft,” Turkey’s top procurement official, Murad Bayar, said.

The Defense Industry Executive Committee, chaired by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is the ultimate decision-maker on procurement. Its other members are Defense Minister Ismet Yilmaz, Chief of General Staff Gen. Necdet Ozel and Bayar.

Ankara cited rising costs and technological issues for its Jan. 10 decision to postpone an order to purchase its first two F-35 fighter jets.

But top procurement officials admitted at that time that there was a “certain degree of psychological deliberation at work, too.” Turkey did not want to “stand alone in the dark’’ on the program, said an official with Turkey’s procurement agency, (SSM), which Bayar heads.

“We must make a decision [on the first order] by mid-January,” Bayar said. “The delay in placing the order has worked to our advantage in terms of price, more stable costs and technology.”

After the initial purchase of the two jets, Turkey plans to order 100 stealth fighters to replace its F-4 Phantoms and F-16 Fighting Falcons. Bayar said Turkey remains committed to the full acquisition.

Turkey is one of nine countries that are part of a US-led consortium to build the F-35 fighter. The others are Britain, Canada, Italy, the Netherlands, Australia, Norway and Denmark.

Turkey announced in March 2011 that it was placing its order for 100 jets on hold due to US refusal to provide adequate access to the aircraft’s source codes. Ankara said negotiations for access to the codes, including codes that can be used to control the aircraft remotely, had not yielded satisfactory results, and under these conditions, Turkey could not accept the aircraft. The issue remains unresolved.

Indigenous Fighter

Meanwhile, Bayar said the SSM is satisfied with mentoring services it receives from Saab, maker of the JAS 39 Gripen, for an ambitious Turkish program that foresees the design, development and production of what Turks claim will be the country’s first indigenous fighter jet.

“We are content with Saab’s services so far. The critical issue is the engine. Should we select an engine and design our aircraft in line with that engine’s requirements, or should we design the aircraft and select the appropriate engine afterwards? That is the main challenge in the program,” Bayar said.

He said the government should be able to make a decision on the engine for the program, dubbed TF-X, in December or January. “Alternatively, we may decide to work on this a bit more,” he said.

Bayar said Turkey would choose between European and US engine manufacturers. “In terms of thrust and overall performance, US options come closer to the specifications we have in our mind,” Bayar said.

Russia to offer Turkey advanced surface-to-air missiles

Russia is ready to participate in a tender to offer Turkey S-300 and S-400 surface-to-air missile systems, the state-controlled arms exporter said on Wednesday.
"The Turkish military has a great need for S-300 and S-400 long-range missile defense systems," Rosoboronexport CEO Anatoly Isaikin said. "Russia has expressed its readiness to participate in a tender for the delivery of such systems."
He said leading SAM manufacturers from Western countries would participate in the tender "on a par with Russia.
"
He gave no indication as to what specific SAM modifications would be offered or the timeframe for the tender.
Turkish military experts have said Ankara is interested in the Russian missiles, which could effectively protect the country's southern borders.
The advanced version of the S-300 missile system, called S-300PMU1, has a range of over 150 kilometers (over 100 miles) and can intercept ballistic missiles and aircraft at low and high altitudes, making it effective in warding off air strikes.
The S-300V/Antey 2500 (SA-12 Gladiator/Giant) consists of a new command vehicle, an array of advanced radars and up to six loader vehicles assigned to each launcher.
The S-400 (SA-21 Growler) is capable of simultaneously engaging six targets to a range of 400 km (250 miles) and an altitude up to 30 kilometers, including aircraft, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles.

Turkey to Design, Produce its Own Jet Fighter Aircraft

  

ANKARA: Turkey has tossed aside plans to purchase the Eurofighter Typhoon and is pursuing an ambitious endeavor to design and produce its own fighter jet instead. The decision, announced by Turkish Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul, is seen as not only an industrial move, but one aimed at boosting national pride with its “Made in Turkey” fighter.

“The decision we have taken now calls for the production of a totally national and original aircraft,” Gonul told reporters last week after a meeting of the powerful Defense Industry Executive Committee decided to nix plans to purchase 60 of the latest Typhoon jet fighters. “This move by the committee effectively is a decision for making Turkey’s first fighter aircraft,” Gonul said. “The Eurofighter is off Turkey’s agenda.”

According to reports, the new aircraft would replace the aging US-made F-4, which had been upgraded by Israel to last well into the next decade, as well as newer F-16s. The expected roll out date for Turkey’s twin-engine combat jet would reportedly be about 2023.

Ankara has already announced it plans to procure some 100 of the next-generation F-35s Joint Strike Fighter aircraft in a deal worth about $15 billion. The first JSF jets are expected to be delivered around 2015. According to Defense News, however, Turkey would take the approximately 30 F-16 fighters only as a “stopgap” measure.

The decision to fly solo in developing a fighter jet comes as Turkey distances itself from its North Atlantic Treaty Organization partners in Europe and North America, and seeks closer ties with its Middle Eastern neighbors. In November, Turkey disputed NATO plans for a missile shield against a possible Iranian attack and has objected to the alliance sharing information with Israel.
Turkey assembles the F-16s on contract from Lockheed Martin at a Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) plant. The government named state-controlled TAI, based on the outskirts of Ankara, as the general coordinator of the new fighter jet project. The Turkish Defense Industry’s Procurement agency SSM has allotted some $20 million for a two-year conceptual design study.

“It’s a large endeavor. I’m skeptical that they would be able to do the project on their own since Turkey didn’t have the adequate technological know-how,” said one aerospace executive intimately involved with the design and production of the Israeli fighter jet Lavi in the 1980s.

“But it’s not just technological know-how. Developing a fighter jet requires billions and billions of dollars. It’s certainly not the same as assembling an aircraft. It takes a very long time to develop the technology and then you need to have the influx of funding to bring it all together,” the executive, who spoke on condition he not be named, told The Media Line.

Turkish industry officials told The Media Line that the government decision didn’t make sense. Turkey was currently so heavily engaged in joint international aircraft design projects such as the F-35 that it wouldn’t be feasible to embark on such a costly and risky venture, the officials said.
While hardly world class, the Turkish defense industry is growing and modernizing. But it remains dependent on foreign technology. TAI has designed the Hurkus, a basic training aircraft, but it has yet to make its maiden flight. It has also rolled out an unmanned aerial vehicle this year called the ANKA.

“Development is very, very expensive. Israel was a small country without a big defense budget. Even when we had the infrastructure we decided to give up on it because it was just too expensive,” the executive said, adding that any development today would likely be more successful with international partners.

Israel eventually scrapped the Lavi — built to be a competitor with the F-16 –under heavy US pressure and from a lack of funds.
Defense Minister Gonul said Turkey might cooperate with South Korea, which was developing the KF-X fighter jet with Indonesia. However, that project has sputtered due to lack of funding.

Turkey Reveals Indigenously Developed Stand-OFF Missiles

Turkish Air Force (TurAF) has revealed two indigenously developed missile systems during the 100th year celebrations at the Cigli airbase in Turkey’s western province of Izmir. Celebrations consisted of public shows by the world’s leading air acrobatics teams, including the USAF Thunderbirds and Turkey’s own Turkish Stars, as well as various other events both on the ground and in the air.

Developed by TUBITAK-SAGE as a result of an ambitious project started in 2006, Turkey’s first indigenous stand-off missile is designed for destroying both fixed and large moving targets at a range of over 180 kilometers. Currently referred to by the TurAF as SOM, it can be used as a precision strike weapon against both land or sea targets. TUBITAK-SAGE officials who spoke at the Cigli airshow said that the initial demonstartion flights of the prototypes were completed successfully at undisclosed locations and the delivery of a first batch of missiles to TurAF would take place by the end of 2011 following more vigorous live firing tests scheduled for the rest of the year.

SOM missile uses GPS (Global Positioning System) as its primary mode of guidance complemented by an advanced intertial navigation system and a radar-based terrain contour matching system, dubbed TERCOM, allowing the missile to ‘hug’ the terrain during its flight as to avoid detection by radar. SOM also features improved geometry and aerodynamics over similar missile systems, as well as lightweight composite components that minimize the radar cross-section of the missile and turning it stealth. A terminal stage infrared imager recognizes the individual target by matching its signature with a pre-loaded database of similar targets and allows for precision homing and strike.

SOM can currently be installed and used aboard TurAF F-4 Phantom and F-16 aircraft.

“Certification work is in progress to enable the missile for use aboard the F-35,” a TUBITAK-SAGE official told on condition of anonymity. Turkey plans to procure an initial batch of 120 F-35 planes to replace its aging fleet of F-4 Phantoms and the older F-16 Block 30s.

Turkey’s Air-launched Cruise Missile Almost Ready

Turkey’s Undersecretariat for Defence Industries, has awarded TUBITAK-SAGE a major contract for the development of Turkey’s first medium range high precision cruise missile program.

TUBITAK-SAGE has been working on the new-generation indigenous cruise missile since 2006.

This new crusine missile, name still unknown, is now nearing the end of its development stage and is expected to make its initial debut in Turkey’s largest defence and aerospace fair IDEF 2011, taking place between May 10 and 13.

The cruise missile is designed for air-lunch from Turkey’s upgraded F-4 2020 Terminator aircraft and have a range of over 150 kilometers. Guidance will be provided by GPS and on-board INS, while terminal-stage homing will be accomplished with an advanced Aselsan-built infrared imaging kit for increased precision. 

 

Roketsan is known to be manufacturing the engine assembly in cooperation with TEI, a number of actuators, as well as the warhead of the missile.

Turkey FD-2000 Defense Missile Deal IS A Victory For China

NATO has expressed serious concern over Turkey's decision to purchase the FD-2000 Missile Defense System from China — the export version of China's HQ-9 surface-to-air missile — from a Chinese firm, citing that the system would not be compatible with those of Turkey's other NATO allies. However, the sale symbolizes a victory for China's defense industry even if it does not go through, reported by the International Media Organizations.

FD-2000 Air Defense Missile System

NATO secretary-general Anders Fogh Rasmussen requested Turkey to reconsider the purchase of the FD-2000  saying he expects Turkey to choose a system that is compatible with those of other allies. Some observers claim that the US and NATO are in fact  seriously concerned over the deal because China may be able to steal critical information if the FD-2000 is able to be connected with the US-built Patriot air defense missiles deployed to the Turkish border with Syria.

Others believe that whether of not Turkey will halt the US$3.4 billion missile defense deal and comply to the NATO request, it still marks a victory for Chinese defense industry. The Chinese weapons system was chosen above the US Patriot system, Russia's S-300 and the European Aster 30. Meanwhile, the FD-2000 is expected to become a popular choice for developing nations which are not NATO members with its cheaper price and technology transfer. The Chinese defense industry will now be able to use the indirect support of NATO member Turkey to expand into the overseas market the International Media Organizations said.

Turkish TFX Fifth Generation Stealth Fighter Jet

Turkish TFX Fifth Generation Stealth Fighter Jet:-

Turkish TFX National Combat Aircraft conceptual Design being displayed at the International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF).

Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) with technological cooperation from Saab is looking to develop fifth Generation Stealth Fighter Jet

Turkish NEB (Nüfus Edici Bomba) Bunker Buster Penetrator Bomb

Turkish NEB (Nüfus Edici Bomba) Bunker Buster Penetrator Bomb weights 2000 lb (870 kg) and is 8.53 ft (2.6 m) long.

Turkish KC-135 Stratotanker, F-16 Fighter Jets and Boeing AEW&C

Turkish KC-135 Stratotanker military aerial refueling aircraft , F-16 fighter jets and Boeing: 737 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C).

Top Ten Military Expenditure Database

List of countries by military expenditures :

1. United States : 682,478,000,000 $


2. People's Republic of China :166,107,000,000$

3. Russia : 90,749,000,000$

4. United Kingdom : 61,007,000,000$

5. Japan :59,267,000,000$

6. France :58,943,000,000$

7. Saudi Arabia :56,724,000,000$

8. India : 45,785,000,000$

9. Germany : 43,478,000,000$

10. Italy : 34,004,000,000$

11. Brazil : 33,143,000,000$

12. South Korea : 31,660,000,000$

13. Australia : 31,660,000,000$

14. Canada : 22,600,000,000$

15. Turkey : 18,184,000,000$

Turkey's acquisition of HQ-9 Air Defense System

   China has given cheapest offer with HQ-9, second Aster 30 (France-Italy), third S-300 (Russians offered an old    solution), last one useless and most expensive Patriots.

Turkey Defends Choice of Chinese Missiles

ANKARA — Turkey on Wednesday defended its decision to enter talks with China to acquire its first long-range anti-missile system, in spite of protests from its ally Washington.

 Turkey is highly likely to sign a deal to co-produce a missile defence system with a Chinese firm under U.S. sanctions after it placed the lowest bid of $3.44 billion in a tender, a senior defence ministry official said on Thursday.

Murad Bayar, Undersecretary of Defence Industries at the Defence Ministry, told reporters in Ankara that Turkey could finalise the deal with China Precision Machinery Import and Export Corp (CPMIEC) within six months.

The United States has expressed "serious concerns" over North Atlantic Treaty Organisation member Turkey cooperating with CPMIEC, under sanctions for violations of the Iran, North Korea and Syria Nonproliferation Act.

Bayar said Turkey was not sharing any information on NATO defence systems with China and that, if the deal went ahead, almost all production would take place in Turkey.

NATO sources have said Turkish collaboration with China on the system could raise questions of compatibility of weaponry and of security. For China, it would be a breakthrough in its bid to become a supplier of advanced weapons.

Bayar said CPMIEC's bid came in significantly lower than rival systems from Russian, U.S. and European firms. He said the Franco/Italian Eurosam SAMP/T system was second and Raytheon Co, a U.S. company that builds the Patriot missile, was third. A Russian bid had been eliminated, Bayar said.

US-Sanctioned China Firm Wins $4bn Tender for Turkey Missile Defence System

Turkey has awarded a contract for a long-range air and missile defence system to a Chinese firm that is sanctioned under the US after rejecting bids from rival firms in the US, Russia and Europe.

The contract worth $4bn (£2.5bn, €3bn) was awarded to China Precision MachineryImport and Export Corp (CPMIEC), according to the Turkish defence minister.

In the tender, state-owned CPMIEC’s FD-2000 system defeated the Patriot system developed by US firms Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, the S-400 system of Russia’s Rosoboronexport and the Samp-T developed by Italian-French consortium Eurosamrs.

China’s Rising Defence Sales

China replaced the UK as the fifth largest arms supplier during the 2008-2012 period, according to research by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (Sipri).

The volume of Chinese exports of major conventional weapons rose by 162% between 2003-2007 and 2008-12, and China’s share of the volume of international arms exports increased from 2 to 5%, Sipri said. Pakistan accounted for 55% of Chinese arms exports during the period.

China-made arms are now comparable to those made in Russia, the US and Europe, according to experts. The country has revealed several new locally-made weapon systems after decades of high military spending and promotion of local contractors. It has also significantly decreased dependence on arms imports.

CPMIEC was established by the former China Ministry of Space and Industry in 1980 for marketing arms produced under the state jurisdiction. It currently markets missiles produced by state-owned firms, the China Aerospace Science andTechnology Corp. and the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp.

Because of CPMIEC’s sales of missile technology to Iran and Pakistan, the US sanctioned the firm and its subsidiaries multiple times and barred all US persons and entities from engaging in business with it.

In 2003, Washington extended sanctions on the firm for selling arms to Iran. In February, the US announced sanctions on the company for violating the Iran, North Korea and Syria Nonproliferation Act.

Meanwhile, Turkey that has the second-largest deployable military force in the NATO alliance is looking to build its own air and missile defence systems. Since 2012,the country has been relying on the US built Patriot air and missile defence system deployed by NATO.