Procurement: November 20, 1999

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Turkey has demanded a larger share in the European Future Large Aircraft program (designed to replace the C-130) and has threatened to pull out and buy American planes if it does not get it. The partner nations of the program allocated Turkey 9% of the airframe work, which is the least expensive part of the aircraft; the Turks want a share equal to 9% of the entire aircraft program. Turkey expects to pay $2 billion for 26 aircraft during 2000-2015. This will amount to 9% of the expected total buy. The Belgians want 12 aircraft, the British 45, the French 50, the Germans 75, the Italians 44, and the Spanish 36. --Stephen V Cole