The Turkish undersecretary for defence industries (SSM) has issued an official request for information (RFI) for procurement of new assault boats, undisclosed military officials have revealed.
Issued late last month, the RFI seeks acquisition of ten new assault boats for the national navy as part of the Turkish-type assault boat programme, Defense News reports.
An official, on the condition of anonymity, was quoted by the news agency as saying the competition primarily seeks local shipyards but will also feature a foreign contest.
”The design and manufacturing will be local, hence the tag ‘Turkish-type assault boat,”’ the official said.
Valued at an estimated $600m, the competition is widely believed to be pursued by multiple local shipyards, including RMK Marine, Yonca-Onuk, Dearsan and Istanbul Shipyards.
Other state-owned defence companies, such as Aselsan and Havelsan, are also believed to be competing for the warfare system, while state-owned missile-maker, Roketsan, is likely to develop the weapons systems.
As part of the proposed plan, the domestic shipyards might be competing for the design and manufacturing work, whereas foreign manufacturers are expected to submit proposals for main propulsion and steering systems.
The last date for submission of responses is 13 September 2013, according to the official.
The programme is scheduled to be managed by the Defence Technologies Engineering and Commerce Corporation (STM), a government-owned defence industry engineering and consultation company.
STM has already completed feasibility studies for the assault boat programme under SSM’s authorisation from 2008 to 2010.
