South Korea To Help Turkey Develop New Tank

[EagleEyes]

South Korea To Help Turkey Develop New Tank

SEOUL - South Korea said it has signed a $400 million contract to help Turkey develop a new tank, in what will be the first time Seoul has exported tanks or related technology.

Under the deal signed in Ankara on July 29, South Korea will help Turkey develop its new main battle tank by 2015, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said in a press statement.

"The Turkish government has recognized our rich experience and advanced technology in developing battle tanks," DAPA said. "It also demonstrates the superiority of our defense technology."

The deal includes technology transfer worth $330 million and the production of four prototypes worth $70 million, Hyundai Rotem said.

When development is completed, Turkey reportedly plans to produce some 200 of the tanks.

"This project is a new landmark in the two countries' cooperation in defense technology," Defense Minister Lee Sang-Hee was quoted as saying by Yonhap news agency.

Turkey is one of the largest customers of South Korean defense products.

State-funded Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) last year signed a $500 million contract to deliver 55 KT-1 trainers to Turkey's air force by 2013.

Yonhap said Turkey also wants to buy some $100 million worth of weapons, including 155mm self-propelled artillery, from South Korea this year.

South Korea To Help Turkey Develop New Tank - Defense News

 

[JK!]

Most of the equipment used by the Turkish and South Korean armies are also used by Pakistan.

For example both Turkey and South Korea use a similar APC to the Pakistani Talha APC. In Turkey its the FNSS AAPC and in South Korea the Daewoo IFV both based on the American United Defence IFV. Both countries also operate some interesting variants.

Furthermore South Korea also operates T80 MBTs albeit in limited numbers.

I think a three way cooperation including Pakistan in Defence matters would be most beneficial to all three countries.

 

[blain2]

Valid observation about the potential of cooperation b/w Pakistan, Turkey and SK.

 

[EagleEyes]

Well, for sure it could benefit all of us. But it has to be seen if Pakistani establishments are already looking to invest in the next generation tank cooperation or not.

 

[IceCold]

Well, for sure it could benefit all of us. But it has to be seen if Pakistani establishments are already looking to invest in the next generation tank cooperation or not.

There was a MOU signed between Pakistan and Turkey on the development of their next tank project. What happened to that? Or can we safely assume that As this cooperation goes on between South Korea and Turkey, Pakistan might join in as suggested by JK we share many things in common.

 

[araz]

It is no longer possible to continue research and development of an item required in limited numbers for developing and even some developed countries. Turkey Korea cooperation is one way of circummventing this problem. Pakistan already has a MOU with Turkey to work on the next generation Tank,as Icecold rightly pointed out. I also feel that the next logical stage is to enter into a trilateral agreement to build the tank. Whether we have the finances for this is the million dollar question that needs to be answered.
WaSalam
Araz

 

[EagleEyes]

Guys, i dont think there is any MoU signed for the research and development for a tank with Turkey. Turkey was going all alone in the project.. unable to do so.. sought help of South Korea now.