Philippines receives last batch of two T129B ATAK attack helicopters from Turkey
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| One of the PAF'a T129B ATAK attack helicopter. Photo c/o Iniego Lumbay. |
Aerospace company Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) was reported to have delivered the last batch of two T129B ATAK attack helicopters to the Philippine Air Force (PAF).
The helicopters arrived at Clark Air Base in the Philippines via a Turkish Air Force A400M Atlas transport aircraft on 30 November 2023.
Philippine defense page MaxDefense Philippines said that the helicopters are already undergoing flight tests and inspections in preparation for their induction into service with the PAF’s 18th Attack Squadron, 15th Strike Wing.
The Philippines Department of National Defense (DND) ordered 6 new T129B ATAK attack helicopters under a PHP13.728 billion (US$284.8 million) Government-to-Government (G2G) deal between the Philippines and Turkey.
The Philippines is the first export market of the T129 ATAK attack helicopter, which is a Turkish derivative and modernized version of the Italian-made Agusta A129 Mangusta, built by Turkish Aerospace Industries and heavily uses Turkish technology.
The T129B ATAK is the Philippines’ first dedicated attack helicopter, as the PAF usually operate armed versions of light helicopters which includes the MD Helicopters MD520MG Defender and AgustaWestland AW109E Power currently in its fleet.
Four other helicopters were delivered in 2 batches on March 2022 and November 2022, and have already seen action against local communist insurgents with devastating effects.
The T129B ATAK is armed with a n M197 20mm rotary cannon, and four hardpoints allowing for rocket pods for guided and unguided rockets, the Roketsan UMTAS anti-tank air-to-ground missile, and the Air-to-Air Stinger (ATAS) short-range air-to-air missile.
[2] Savunma Sanayi ST.
[3] Philippine Defense Resource
Reviewed by Asia Pacific Defense Journal
on
December 06, 2023
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