Turkey has imposed undisclosed penalties on
Boeing for major delays in the US company’s spy plane program, a top
Turkish official said.
Turkish Defense Minister Ismet Yilmaz said major delays in
Turkey’s multibillion-dollar program for the purchase of four airborne
early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft from Boeing were due to
the company’s failure in developing the system as well as other
uncontrolled events within the program.
Under a July 23, 2003, contract, priced at more than US $1.6
billion, Boeing was to develop and deliver four AEW&C aircraft to
the Turkish Air Force in 2008. The program involved the delivery of the
737-700 airframe, ground radar and control systems, ground control
segments for mission crew training, mission support and maintenance
support.
Yilmaz said April 8 that Turkey has paid Boeing only for work
completed and has imposed legal sanctions for the delays considered the
company’s failure.
