From 9-12 May 2017, Leonardo is exhibiting at IDEF, the 13th edition of Turkey’s major defense and security exhibition. Leonardo has been doing business in Turkey for more than 40 years, participating in major civilian and military projects such as the T129 helicopter, Meltem 3 coastal patrol program, optic sensors for the Navy and more recently the Göktürk satellite program.
Leonardo’s technologies provide security for the people of Turkey on a daily basis, for example via the new air traffic management and control system, which links over 20 air traffic control towers with Ankara’s main operations center. Leonardo’s Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) ensures the safety of Turkey’s coast line and seaports.
Leonardo has an industrial presence in Turkey with its Selex ES Elektronik Turkey subsidiary, which since the 1990s has been producing and supporting secure communications systems, avionics, naval sensors for situational awareness and air traffic control systems. The company, headquartered in Gölbaşı (Ankara), has also delivered programs such as the integrated vessel communication system used by the Turkish Coast Guard for search and rescue.
Mauro Moretti, Managing Director and General Manager of Leonardo, said: “Our experience in Turkey allows us to present ourselves as a strategic partner for Turkish industries in the aerospace, defense and security sectors. Leonardo has already proven it can develop and offer world class technologies and products to Turkey including satellites, helicopters and advanced civilian and military electronics. In fact, more than ten years ago, Leonardo started its first major industrial collaborations that contribute significantly to Turkey’s technological independence.”
This year, at IDEF, Leonardo is presenting the capabilities offered by its C-27J (photo), a tactical transport aircraft ideally suited to the needs of the Turkish Armed Forces. The C-27J, already chosen by 14 customers, delivers outstanding performance in terms of speed, agility and load capacity. The C-27J can perform all its missions from unprepared runways and in hostile environments. It is also interoperable with other transport aircraft already in use in the country.
As the European leader in electronics and security systems, Leonardo is ready to expand its collaboration with industrial partners that are leading Turkey’s key aeronautical programs. Examples of these technologies are exhibited at IDEF and include a mock-up of the Gripen-E aircraft’s electronics suite. This incorporates Leonardo’s Raven ES-05 electronically scanning radar, Mode 5 IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) system and the Skyward IRST (Infra-Red Search and Track) optical sensor. Also on display are the BriteCloud Expendable Active Decoy electronic protection system and the readily exportable Miysis DIRCM (Directed InfraRed Countermeasure) system for the protection of aircraft from heat seeking missiles.
In the helicopter field, Leonardo has a complete range of solutions for military and public service requirements in Turkey. The twin-engine AW169 intermediate light, AW139 intermediate and AW189 super-medium weight class helicopters are Leonardo’s new generation of helicopters, designed to carry out missions such as coastal patrol and search and rescue. In addition, the company’s top-of-the-range AW101 features high technology, long range and a large cabin. The AgustaWestland AW609 TiltRotor is also potentially of great interest in the region, as it combines the cruise speed, height and range of a turbo-prop aircraft with vertical take-off and landing capabilities of a helicopter.
Also of interest to the Turkish market is the advanced M-346 trainer, already chosen by Italy, Israel, Poland and Singapore. The M-346 is ideal for training pilots to operate the latest generation of fighters such as the F-35. The aircraft is also offered in Fighter/Trainer and Fighter/Attack configurations.
At IDEF, Leonardo is also exhibiting its family of broadband radio systems with SDR (Software Defined Radio) technology, which includes tactical, handheld, vehicle, naval and avionics devices in addition to the latest portable version.
Leonardo is also a key player in the space market. Telespazio, a Leonardo (67%) and Thales (33%) joint venture, is exhibiting a model of the Göktürk-1 satellite supplied to the Turkish Ministry of Defense for earth observation.
