February 14, 2019 | International, Aerospace
A consortium of South Korean aerospace companies has been selected by the US government to provide maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services for Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter aircraft, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has announced.
DAPA said in a statement on 13 February that the consortium - termed by DAPA as 'Team ROK' - includes Hanwha Systems, Hanwha Aerospace, Korean Air Aerospace Division, LIG Nex1, and logistics specialist Hyundai Glovis.
DAPA said it was notified of the decision by the US Department of Defense (DoD). It added that the selection of Team ROK followed a review undertaken by the DoD of proposals to expand MRO involvement in the F-35 programme by countries involved in developing the aircraft and by countries committed to procuring the platform.
DAPA said that Team ROK has been allocated responsibility to provide MRO services in support of components and systems across three areas: avionics, "machinery and electronics", and in-flight egress systems, adding that the decision supports local industry's efforts to gain access to the F-35 global supply chain and, at a wider level, to boost the country's defence exports.
"DAPA is promoting innovation to transform domestic defence companies into a competitive export-oriented industry," it said. "The selection of [Team ROK] is a success story that shows the way for the defence industry to move forward."
https://www.janes.com/article/86336/south-korean-consortium-selected-for-f-35-mro
July 25, 2023 | International, Land, Other Defence
Through operations at its 12 sites, BAE Systems’ ground vehicle, amphibious vehicle and weapon systems product lines contributed to local families and economies by providing more than 5,000 jobs and...
February 1, 2021 | International, Land
By: Burak Ege Bekdil ANKARA, Turkey — A Turkish-Qatari armored vehicles manufacturer has unveiled a hybrid tank that combines the hull of a German Leopard 2A4 with a Turkish-made turret in an effort to win a serial production contract. The tank was displayed by BMC on Jan. 23 to a high-profile delegation including Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar and top military brass. A BMC official said the company hopes to win a serial production/upgrade contract from the Turkish government for the hybrid tank. He added that serial production would involve more than 300 Leopard tanks receiving the hybrid upgrade. “If the military command decides to order mass production, we will start the work immediately,” he said. BMC hopes the hybrid model will become combat-proven after entering the Turkish military's inventory. “That will pave the way for similar upgrades on hundreds of Leopards in different parts of the world,” the company official said. “Export potential is bigger than the Turkish contract.” The hybrid Leopard is equipped with Turkish-made active protection, fire control and laser warning systems. It combines the chassis of the iconic German tank with the turret of the locally developed Altay, which includes a 120mm smoothbore gun. A source with knowledge of the hybrid program told Defense News the contract is estimated to be worth “several hundreds of millions of dollars.” The tank will not be a substitute to the multibillion-dollar Altay program. Under that effort, Turkey plans to build 1,000 units of the new-generation main battle tank. BMC won the serial production contract for the Altay, but the program has struggling over the past few years as Turkey continues its search for an imported power pack (engine and transmission system). Most recently BMC started negotiations with South Korea's Hyundai-Rotem for a power pack for the Altay after talks failed with German suppliers, among a number of other companies. https://www.defensenews.com/industry/techwatch/2021/01/29/meet-the-new-hybrid-tank-competing-for-serial-production-in-turkey
February 11, 2022 | International, Aerospace