Turkish National Police purchase 15 U.S. helicopters

Turkish National Police purchase 15 U.S. helicopters

2012-03-13 04:24:45 GMT+7 (ICT)

ANKARA, Turkey (BNO NEWS) -- The Turkish National Police has signed an agreement to purchase fifteen helicopters from U.S. rotorcraft manufacturer Bell Helicopter, the company said on Monday. Deliveries are expected to begin next year.

The General Directorate of Security, which is responsible for law enforcement in Turkey, said the agreement was signed in the Turkish capital of Ankara on Tuesday last week. Twenty officials were at the signing ceremony, including Canadian Ambassador John Holmes, Turkish Undersecretary of Defense Industries Murad Bayar, and officials from the U.S. Embassy and the Turkish police.

Bell Helicopter, which manufactures both civilian and military helicopters, said the Bell 429 aircraft was selected after an 'extensive evaluation period' during which Turkish officials visited several large helicopter manufacturers in North America and Europe. The Bell 429 helicopter is one of the most advanced light twin-engine helicopters in the world.

Deliveries of the Bell 429s will begin in May 2013, and Turkish police expects to use the helicopters for both surveillance and air support of ground operations. "We are very pleased to equip our police force with a next generation, high-mission capability helicopter," Bayar said. "Bell Helicopter had a strong competitive performance during the tender stage and we believe this will continue during the execution of the contract."

Larry Roberts, senior vice president of Commercial Business at Bell Helicopter, said it is pleased to equip Turkish police with the aircraft. "It is a measure of great satisfaction to see the right helicopter matched with the requirements of a great customer with the benefits to Turkey and the service that these helicopters will provide the men and women of Turkish law enforcement and the Turkish people," he said.

Financial details about the contract were not released.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2012-03-13