Havelsan has been regarded as the leading military software developer in
Turkey. Boeing develops and produces missile defense assets, including the
U.S.-Israeli Arrow-2 interceptor.
"Through this MoU, which extends an agreement signed in 2003, the two
companies will jointly evaluate and develop opportunities in missile
defense, drawing on their existing skills, technologies and capabilities,"
Boeing said on Tuesday.
Boeing has also been the prime contractor for the U.S. Ground-based
Midcourse Defense and Airborne Laser programs. Turkey has examined U.S.- and
Israeli-origin missile defense systems to counter the growing ballistic
missile threat of neighboring Iran and Syria.
Boeing and Havelsan have been teamed in previous missile defense
projects. They included a study of integrating missile defense assets into
NATO systems that could be used to defend Turkey.
The two countries are also partners in the Alliance Shield team for
NATO's Active Layered Theatre Ballistic Missile Defense program. Havelsan
has also been a key supplier to Boeing for Turkey's Peace Eagle airborne
early warning and control aircraft.