Roketsan, Airbus sign MOU on Cirit missiles for H145M

WASHINGTON, June 16 (UPI) -- Roketsan Missiles Industries and Airbus Helicopters have signed a memorandum of understanding to integrate 70mm Cirit laser-guided missiles on H135M and H145M helicopters.

Roketsan board chairman Emin Alpman said in a statement that the company believes the program will lead to long-term cooperation between the two companies.

The combination could raise interest in both Roketsan's native Turkey and the international market, Airbus Helicopters senior vice president and European head Olivier Michalon said.

The Cirit is a missile with the longest range in its class, about 4.8 miles, and provides superior precision against light, armored and unarmored stationary and mobile targets.

It was designed to fill the gap between cheap, low-precision, unguided rockets and high-cost, guided anti-tank missiles, Roketsan said.