Turkey Requests Mk54 Lightweight Torpedoes
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The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of Turkey’s request for 100 MK-54 Lightweight All-Up-Round Warshot Torpedoes, 50 containers, required equipment platform and auxiliary upgrades and modifications, kits, support equipment, exercise hardware, maintenance facility upgrades, software development/integration, test sets and support equipment, spare and repair parts, publications and technical data, maintenance, training equipment, U.S. Government (USG) and contractor representatives, contractor engineering and technical support services, and other related elements of logistics support. The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $105 million.
Raytheon Company Integrated Defense Systems in Keyport, WA will be the contractor, and there are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. Implementation of this proposed sale will require assignment of U.S. Government and contractor representatives to Turkey on a temporary basis for program technical/management oversight and support. The DSCA release [PDF] adds:
“Turkey intends to use the MK-54 torpedo on numerous platforms including… Frigates, SH-70B Sea Hawk Helicopters, and Sea Patrol Aircraft already in-country… Turkey maintains a robust MK-46 program, which it intends to upgrade to support the MK-54 torpedo. Accordingly, the TNFC will be capable of integrating, employing, and maintaining the MK-54 torpedo… This proposed sale will not adversely affect either the military balance in the region or U.S. efforts to encourage a negotiated settlement of the Cyprus question.”
