Mary-Louise Hoffman
Turkey’s defense procurement agency could release a final solicitation to acquire 10 missile boats for the Turkish navy before the close of the year, Defense News reported Sunday.
Burak Ege Bekdil, citing industry sources, writes that the contract’s total value will range between $700 million and $800 million.
While the competition is expected to draw local boat manufacturers such as RMK Marine, Istanbul Shipyards, Ares, Dearsan and Yonca-Onuk, Bekdil reports that Turkish defense procurement officials also plan to seek foreign contractors’ help in building the missile cutters’ propulsion and steering technology.
The navy wants missile boats that have a compact design as well as feature a 76-millimeter gun system, anti-ship missiles, a three-dimensional surveillance radar and electronic countermeasure equipment, according to Defense News.
Turkish government-owned consulting and engineering firm STM will manage the missile boat development program on behalf of the nation’s defense agency.
