DELIVERY OF RUSSIAN HELICOPTERS TO TURKEY DISCUSSED

PanARMENIAN.Net - Yesterday Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Turkey. Today when visiting the mausoleum of K. Ataturk he said that he reveres the memory of "the outstanding son of the Turkish people". As reported by Novie Izvestia Russian newspaper, Russia and Turkey are going to discuss the possibility of license production of Ka-50-2 "Erdogan" Russian helicopters in Turkey. The matter concerns possible signing of a $2.5-3 billion contract providing for supplying Turkey with 145 helicopters constructed on the basis of famous Ka-50 (Black Shark) by Kamov Public Corporation, the newspaper writes. However, Radical Turkish newspaper says that Turkish leading experts recommend the government to refrain from signing of the contract on the supply of Ka-50-2 "Erdogan" and negotiate with Moscow on possible delivery of other type of war machines - Mi-38H helicopters constructed by the Moscow Helicopter Plant after Mil and Rostvertol Public Corporation (Rostov-on-Don, Russia). These helicopters are supplied with board radio-electronic equipment, "Attack" guided missile as well as with "air-air" rockets. The problem, however, lies in the fact that the Russian army will receive Mi-28H helicopter, also called "Night Hunter" in 2007 only. "Anyway, it is not ruled out that Putin will convince the Turkish authorities to purchase Ka-50-2 "Erdogan", Novie Izvestia added.