Turkey represents a key country with which to establish strategic industrial collaboration in order to address both domestic market needs and also jointly exploit export opportunities in the European and NATO marketplace. Finmeccanica has well-established, long-term relationships with the Turkish Armed Forces, in particular in the helicopter field, with more than 250 contracted AgustaWestland helicopters; in defence and electronic systems Finmeccanica has supplied Air Traffic Management systems, military radars, communications systems and naval guns.

In the most recently announced contracts in Turkey, Alenia Aeronautica will supply 10 ATR72 ASW aircraft for the MELTEM III programme, AgustaWestland will supply 50 T129 combat helicopters in cooperation with Turkish partners for the ATAK programme and Telespazio will supply a satellite system for the GOKTURK programme. Finmeccanica operates in Turkey with representative and operational offices of AgustaWestland and Alenia Aeronautica and also with SELEX Komunikasyon AS., a company mainly operating in the military telecommunications sector.

The Finmeccanica companies exhibited at IDEF 2009 are: AgustaWestland, a leading player in the rotorcraft sector, has recently been awarded the ATAK Programme contract to supply 50 T129 combat helicopters. The company is also offering a cutting edge customized solution to meet the Utilility Helicopter Programme (UHP) requirement.

Alenia Aeronautica is one of the most advanced aeronautical companies and started a fruitful industrial collaboration with Turkish Aerospace Industry for the development of the ATR 72 ASW, the new generation maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare aircraft ordered by Turkish Navy and is exploring any possible solution to have Turkish aerospace industry joining the most important industrial partnership of Europe, the Eurofighter Typhoon, the most advanced swing role fighter available on the world market. Joining the Eurofighter programme, Turkish aerospace companies will be real partners of the Eurofighter Consortium, they will have access to significant and evolving high technologies and source codes; involment in the enhancement programmes, full access to capability to self repair the aircraft in service, full capabilities for updates and upgrades of the aircraft in service and significant spin-off to other European aerospace programmes.

Alenia Aeronautica is also promoting the C-27J NATO standard medium air-lift transport aircraft, the only purpose designed military airlifter in its category and able to operate from unpaved and sandy strips. Alenia Aeronautica is also promoting maritime patrol aircraft and UAVs at IDEF 2009.

Oto Melara is active in the land and naval defence systems, ranging from naval guns to next- generation ammunition, artillery, armoured vehicles and anti-aircraft systems builds equipment currently in service with more than 50 countries world-wide. Oto Melara is exhibiting the Hitfact turret for armoured vehicles and also Vulcano, a family of Extended Range (ER) unguided ammunition and Long Range (LR) guided ammunition for 127mm naval guns and 155 mm land artillery. It is also exhibiting the new Dart precision guided rounds for medium calibre naval guns.