In a first for the nation, Korea will transfer tank technology, including that of the homegrown next-generation XK-2 Black Panther tank, to Turkey. The technology transfer fee will be US$400 million.
The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DPAP) and Hyundai Rotem on Tuesday announced Korea and Turkey signed an agreement whereby Korea will transfer the technology to Turkey by April 2015, and Turkey will produce about 200 next-generation tanks based on it.
In Turkey, a ceremony was held to celebrate the signing of the agreement, attended by Korean and Turkish dignitaries including Defense Minister Lee Sang-hee, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Turkish Defense Minister Vecdi Gönül.
Korea will transfer technologies for tank engines, transmissions, automatic gun loading devices, gun barrels and gun shells — technologies which Hyundai Rotem and the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) have accumulated by developing K-1, K-1A1, and XK-2 tanks over the past three decades.
During the initial stage, Korea will supply Turkey with about half of the necessary tank components. Turkey will develop a fire control system for precision shooting on its own.
According to DAPA, Korea will be paid $400 million as the technology transfer fee, including production costs for four prototype tanks and components, and expenses for about 20 Korean engineers.
Hyundai Rotem won the bidding, being selected by Turkey as the preferable bidder in June last year by defeating rival companies from Germany, a country well -known for its tradition of producing top-notch tanks.
Rotem signed the final contract with Otokar, a Turkish tank manufacturer.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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