
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. won part of a $3.5 billion contract to make helicopters for Turkey's military, beating out rival Agusta Westland of Italy. Sikorsky, the Stratford based subsidiary of United Technologies Corp., on Friday announced the 10-year deal with partner Turkish Aerospace Industry, which calls for 109 utility helicopters and might expand to as many as 600. The aircraft, based on the Black Hawk model, will be built in Turkey with American and Turkish parts. Sikorsky's share of the contract is expected to top $1 billion.
"For many years, Sikorsky Aircraft and Turkish industry have collaborated on aerostructures and dynamic component parts, so this contract would follow a long standing tradition of cooperation," said Jeffrey Pino, president of Sikorsky.
Sikorsky will operate through its 50 percent stake in Alp Aviation, a Turkish company, and intends to expand its capabilities to meet the demand for the contract.