Basic Trainer Aircraft contract signed between TAI and KAI

The contract for The Basic Trainer Aircraf was signed between Turkish Aerospace Industries, Inc. (TAI) and Korea Aerospace Industries, Ltd. (KAI), at a ceremony, held at TAI's facilities on 18 July 2007.

The contract was inked by TAI Chairman of the Board of Directors Lt.Gen. (R) Atalay Efeer and General Manager Mr. Muharrem Dörtka?lı and KAI President and CEO Mr. Hae Joo CHUNG.

In order to meet the future basic trainer aircraft requirement of the Turkish Air Force Command (TuAF), a Request for Proposal was issued by the Undersecretariat for Defense Industries (SSM) in January 2006. Embraer (Brasil) and KAI (South Korea) companies sent their proposals to SSM in July 2006.

The evaluation activities, realized by SSM and TuAF teams, were completed by June 2007.

At the Defense Industry Executive Committee Meeting held on 20 June 2007, contract negotiations were decided to be initiated with KAI.

In line with the resolution contract negotiations have started between SSM and KAI. Following the successful completion of negotiations between TAI and KAI, a contract was signed between the two companies on 18 July 2007.

Under the program, the manufacturing, assembly, flight test and delivery of a total of 40 firm (+15 optional) Basic Trainer Aircraft will be realized by TAI. These aircraft are planned to replace the existing T-37s that are in the inventory of TuAF.