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
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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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