Mangusta Selection May Not End Turkish Attack Helo Saga

Turkey's selection of AgustaWestland's A129 Mangusta International as its new attack helicopter may not be the final decision on the matter, according to the Turkish Daily News. The nation's Defense Industry Executive Committee on March 30 picked the A129 over Denel of South Africa's CSH-2 Rooivalk, ending the latest stage in 12 years of turmoil over the attack helicopter tender. The deal to provide 90 aircraft is valued at $2.7 billion. But Turkish officials said AgustaWestland can't  deliver the first Mangustas for five years; the Turkish army wants attack helicopters faster than that, and its leaders are said to favor Boeing’s AH-64D.     For related news