FMS: Turkey Requests Sale of 30 PANTERA and 30 LANTIRN Pods

Released on Monday, September 29, 2008

WASHINGTON, September 29, 2008 � On September 26, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Turkey of AN/AAQ-33 SNIPER Targeting Pods and AN/AAQ- 13 LANTIRN Navigation Pods as well as associated equipment and services. The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $200 million.

The Government of Turkey has requested a possible sale of 30 AN/AAQ-33 SNIPER Extended Range Targeting Pods, 30 AN/AAQ-13 LANTIRN Extended Range Navigation Pods, containers, flight tests, integration, digital cartridge interface, spare and repair parts, support equipment, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. government and contractor representative technical and logistics personnel services, and other related elements of program support. The estimated cost is $200 million.

Turkey is a partner of the United States in ensuring peace and stability in the region. It is vital to the U.S. national interest to assist our North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Ally in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defense capability that will contribute to an acceptable military balance in the area. This proposed sale is consistent with those objectives.

Turkey needs these capabilities for self-defense modernization, regional security, and U.S. and NATO interoperability. This modernization will enhance the Turkish Air Force's ability to defend Turkey while patrolling the nation's extensive coastline and borders against future threats and contribute to Global War on Terrorism and NATO operations. The proven reliability and compatibility of like-systems in association with numerous platforms will foster increased interoperability with NATO and U.S. forces, and expand regional defenses to counter common threats to air, border, and shipping assets in the region. The Turkish Air Force will have no difficulty absorbing these systems into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not affect the basic military balance in the region.

The prime contractor will be Lockheed Martin Missile and Fire Control Company in Orlando, Florida. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale may require the assignment of U.S. Government and contractor representatives to Turkey for integration efforts. Also, this program will require U.S. government and contractor personnel to conduct annual, one-week Program Management Reviews in Turkey.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

This notice of a potential sale is required by law; it does not mean that the sale has been concluded.