ANKARA, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Joint Strike Fighter (JSF)consortium that builds F-35 fighters has offered Turkey a package worth over 3.5 billion U.S. dollars for local production of critical parts, Turkish Daily News reported on its website on Wednesday.

    The report quoted Turkey's defense sources as saying that the offer, valued at 3.5 billion dollars at 2002 prices, would mean over 4 billion dollars at present prices.

    If the U.S.-led multinational consortium agreed with Ankara on all terms and conditions, the work share could go up to nearly 5 billion dollars, said the defense sources.

    The deal, if sealed, would be the largest-ever single order for Turkey¡¯s local defense industry.

    "That would be an excellent capability for our local industry, ¡°a procurement official familiar with the JSF program was quoted assaying.

    The JSF offer involves commitments including advanced composites and center fuselage production at Tusas Aerospace Industries (TAI), said the report.

    The JSF consortium, led by Lockheed Martin, the world's largest defense company, is currently developing industrial plans for F-35 partner countries in support of the ongoing production, sustainment, follow-on development and manufacturing process. An official from the Lockheed Martin company confirmed the 3.5 billion dollars offer but declined to talk about it in detail ssince it has not been finalized. Enditem