[lbo-talk] Turkey to buy $2.9 bln worth of F-16s - Pentagon

[uvj at vsnl.com]

Reuters.com

UPDATE 1-Turkey to buy $2.9 bln worth of F-16s - Pentagon
http://today.reuters.com/news/articleinvesting.aspx?view=CN&storyID=2006-09-29T142303Z_01_N29337521_RTRIDST_0_ARMS-TURKEY-UPDATE-1.XML&rpc=66&type=qcna

Fri Sep 29, 2006

(adds details throughout)

WASHINGTON, Sept 29 (Reuters) - Turkey wants to buy $2.9 billion worth of
F-16 airplanes and related equipment to patrol its coastline and help
support NATO operations, the Pentagon said on Friday.

Suppliers of the equipment include BAE System PLC (BA.L: Quote, Profile,
Research), Lockheed Martin (LMT.N: Quote, Profile, Research), L-3
Communications (LLL.N: Quote, Profile, Research), Boeing (BA.N: Quote,
Profile, Research), Northrop Grumman (NOC.N: Quote, Profile, Research) and
Raytheon (RTN.N: Quote, Profile, Research), the agency said in a statement.
"This proposed sale will not adversely affect either the military balance in
the region or U.S. efforts to encourage a negotiated settlement of the
Cyprus question," the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a
statement.

The planned purchase includes 42 F-110-129 engines, radar systems, software
integration, spare parts and support services, the agency said.
Other large military equipment sales have been requested by South Korea and
Jordan, the agency said.

South Korea wants to buy $1.5 billion worth of Patriot missile system
equipment and services from Raytheon.

"Korea needs this surface-to-air equipment to continue the upgrade of its
air defense capabilities," it said. "The proposed sale of this material and
support will not affect the basic military balance in the region."

Jordan, meanwhile, wants to buy about $510 million worth of communications
equipment and helicopters.

Of the amount, $450 million would be spent on surveillance and
intelligence equipment, upgrades to Jordan's microwave and fiber networks
and software from Northrop Grumman, the agency said. "These defense articles
and services will enable Jordan to more effectively organize its armed
forces to be able to respond quickly, effectively and comprehensively to
situations concerning its nationa security," it said.

Jordan also wants to spend $60 million on two UH-60L Black Hawk helicopters
and related support. The helicopters would provide Jordan's King Abdullah II
with additiional security, among other uses.

Sikorsky Aircraft, a unit of United Technologies Corp. (UTX.N: Quote,
Profile, Research), would provide the aircraft.

The Pentagon must notify Congress of possible foreign military sales.

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