Turkey receives four CN-235 MPA from Thales

Thales has successfully delivered four modified Casa CN-235 aircraft to Turkey under the Meltem II maritime patrol and surveillance programme at the Tusas Aerospace Industry (TAI) facility.

Turkey had awarded the contract to Thales, under the Meltem II programme, for the delivery of six maritime patrol aircraft for the Turkish Navy and three maritime surveillance aircraft for the Turkish Coast Guard which are based on modified CASA CN-235 platforms.

Under Meltem III contract, the company will also supply 10 additional ATR-72 aircraft, equipped with airborne maritime situation and control system (AMASCOS), of which seven have been delivered to the Turkish Navy to date.

The four initial standard aircraft have completed airworthiness qualification by the French defence procurement agency (DGA) while the aircraft pilots and aircrew have conducted series of test flights such as surveillance, search and rescue, target designation, anti-surface warfare and anti-submarine warfare.

The initial standard aircraft is expected to enhance the maritime patrol capability for the Turkish Navy.

The CN-235 is a medium-range twin-turboprop aircraft and has been designed to support missions including maritime patrol, surveillance and troop transport and are

Equipped with FLIR-2000HP forward looking infrared night vision system, the aircraft also features Trimble TNL7900 Omega global positioning system and a Northrop Grumman LN92 ring laser gyroscope inertial navigation system.