DOD PARTICIPATION IN IDEF TURKEY 2005

UNCLAS ANKARA 000662

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MARR TU
SUBJECT: DOD PARTICIPATION IN IDEF TURKEY 2005


1. Mission strongly supports and encourages direct
Department of Defense participation in the 7th International
Defense Industry, Aerospace and Maritime Fair (IDEF) 2005,
which will be held in Ankara, Turkey from September 27-30,

2005. IDEF is held on a bi-annual basis and attracts the
attention of developed industrial countries, as well as
countries and organizations from the Balkans, Middle East,
Central Asia, Caucasus, and North Africa. IDEF plays an
essential role in demonstrating progress and improvements in
the field of Defense Industry to NATO members and regional
allies.


2. Many of our systems are in heated procurement
competitions for limited Turkish Defense resources. As
Turkey approaches the October start of EU accession
negotiations, the European Union is pressing the Turkish
government to think and buy European. We therefore advocate
a robust US presence at IDEF to display and demonstrate
systems that showcase superior U.S. technology and
interoperability. Our presence would also advance U.S.
security interest in and illustrates our commitment to NATO
and build strong coalition partnerships for the future.
Participation in IDEF 2005 would directly support mission
efforts to strengthen our bilateral security relationship.


3. IDEF 2005 will also offer a good forum to support the
EUCOM and DOD's theater strategy of engagement and
preparedness. It is in both the U.S. and Turkish interests
to promote interoperability, especially through shared
procurement goals, as we continue to engage in the Global War
On Terrorism. A strong DOD presence at IDEF in 2005 would
support for U.S. defense industry that has significant
interest in sales and support for military equipment to
Turkey given the government's upcoming and potential defense
procurements, F-16 modernization, and Unmanned Aerial
Vehicle, S-70 Sea Hawk, and attack helicopter tenders.
Therefore, the Mission recommends DOD support of IDEF 2005.


4. A potential list of equipment involved may include items
such as,M1A2 Sep, AH64D Longbow Apache, CH-47D, CH53, AH-1Z
Bell King Cobra, AVDS-1790 1500 HP Eng (GDLS),Harpoon, JDAM,
F15E, and UAV's such as the GNAT- 750, I-GNAT, Predator B,
Prowler and Prowler II, and Altus.


5. Mission contact for this program is LTC Joe DellaSilva,
who can be reached by phone at (90)(312) 418-9503 or at
dellasilvaj@odc-t.ankara.af.mil.

EDELMAN
EDELMAN