Turkey:A Key Partner Airbus Military

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Defence Turkey:Could you please inform us about the Light and Medium Tactical Airlifters






programmes? What is your assessment on current your position in the global market by these capabilities?













The CN235 and C295 are the world leaders in its category. As you know, Turkey is the largest operator of the CN235 and has a lot of experience with this aircraft. Recently we have delivered the first aircraft of the second batch of 8 aircraft for the French Air Force, we continue the deliveries to the US Coast Guard in the MPA version as planned, just to name two of our valuable customers.













Then on the C295, besides the transport mission aircraft, we are developing further specific mission versions, responding to new market needs we identified. In 2011 we delivered the first ASW (Anti Submarine Warfare) version to the Chilean Navy. This is a very complex aircraft with detection and attack capabilities, integrated through our FITS (Full Integrated tactical System) modular system, and it is a step forward to provide cost effective solutions to different navies around the world, that need to phase out old patrol and antisubmarine aircraft.













We also presented am AEW&C (Airborne Early Warning & Control) aerodynamic prototype during the Le Bourget airshow. With this, we are proposing an efficient alternative to other airborne systems and platforms that are more expensive.













The C295 is becoming a best seller for MPA and transport versions, and we see a long life in the market for the C295.






Defence Turkey:What is the current status of A400M programme? Can you please inform us about the delivery process in details? Will any delay on the delivery Schedule and cost increasing be estimated in coming days within the framework of A400M Programme?













As discussed earlier, with 4 aircraft flying now, a fifth one by end of the year and the start of the FAL for the first serial aircraft in November this year, the programme is on track to deliver the aircraft to the customers as committed over two years ago.






Flight test is making good progress, there are 4 aircraft flying very intensively with now over 2,500 flight hours and some 840 flights performed. Trials confirm that we have a sound aircraft which will match the customers? expectations. The A400M is truly going to be the next generation airlifter of reference.






As I mentioned, the first delivery to the French Air Force is scheduled three years after first flight, and I hope, ahead of the contractual delivery date. The subsequent first deliveries are the following:






- 2013: Turkey,






- 2014: UK and Germany,






- 2015: Malaysia,






- 2015: Spain,






- 2019: Belgium and Luxemburg




















Defence Turkey:Turkey will receive the first plane in 2013. Within the concept of this programme, what kind of cooperation regarding logistics, training and maintenance will be planned with Turkish Air Force, TAI and the other subcontractors? Could you please enlighten us regarding these activities?













As of today, we are talking with the Turkish Air Force and SSM (???full name???) for about a year already to develop and define the best and most appropriate solution for the In-Service Support of the Turkish A400M fleet. As a result of these activities we expect to receive a Request for Proposal for the In-Service Support of the Turkish A400M in the next weeks which will be issued by OCCAR on behalf of SSM. Airbus Military will offer a comprehensive performance-based support solution which combines our knowledge as the manufacturer of the A400M with our long experience as a service provider for both civil and military customers.













As a prime contractor we will, of course, integrate the Turkish industry in the support solution. We will have a Turkish MRO provider for all the Maintenance Level 2 and 3 on-aircraft tasks, and there will be a Turkish MRO provider for the Maintenance Level 2 engine repair. Together with contributions of the Air Force Maintenance and Supply Centres and the performance of all Maintenance Level 1 tasks by the Turkish Air Force we will achieve a high fleet availability and a smooth entry into operations of the A400M. All the services provided by us and our subcontractors to the Turkish Air Force will be integrated and managed by Airbus Military Turkey serving as our in-country footprint. We plan to establish Airbus Military Turkey in the course of next year, maybe together with a Turkish partner. I am convinced that with the implementation of this kind of cooperation we can provide world class support to the Turkish Air Force.






Defence Turkey:Besides the 7 Nations? participation to the A-400 M programme, Malaysia ordered 4 A400M. It is known that Turkey has sound capabilities to give technical supports for her own and other Nations? aircraft. How is your assessment regarding Turkey?s technical support capabilities for the 3rd countries?













As I said above, Airbus Military will provide excellent and competitive capabilities for the support of the A400M, in particular in the area of maintenance, which will be very interesting also for other A400M customers. Airbus Military will promote these regional capabilities and we expect that SSM and the Turkish Government will give support on this issue as well.













Defence Turkey:TAI is a strategic partner to Airbus not only in A400M programme but also in the other Airbus programmes with its facilities which meet the advance technology needs. How do you assess TAI?s position in A400M programme? Can any increase of TAI?s work share be considered?













TAI is performing a sterling job in the A400M program, and has become a valued partner in different civil aircraft programmes. The objective is to maintain this cooperation and explore new possibilities, perhaps in the field of services, as discussed before.






As it is known that Airbus Military has cooperated with other Turkish companies in the past and is presently doing so. Could you please give more information about your partnerships with Turkish Defence Industry?













Turkey, as you know, is one of our key partner countries, not only for the A400M but also for the long relationship we have, and I?m sure this will continue for a long time to come.






Our line of product fits perfectly with Turkish requirements. The CN235 and the A400M have already been selected, or are successfully operating in Turkey, but in the future the A330 MRTT, the C295 and different mission system aircraft will be ideal to cover further needs of the Turkish armed forces. Our privileged partner TAI is growing with us on these products, and we work together not only nationally but as well internationally using the Turkish skills at best













Defence Turkey:Finally would you like to add some information for our readers?













I would like to say that I am very proud of the excellent relationship that we have between Turkey and Airbus Military. We have grown together and we are continuing build on this to provide benefits to Turkey, the Turkish aerospace industry and the Turkish people. I am equally very excited to work towards the delivery of the first A400M to the Turkish Air Force because I know that they will be very happy with this fantastic aircraft. So a lot of good and promising things to look forward to for the next years.