08 April 2023
The Philippines, which recently received the first T129 ATAK Attack and Tactical Reconnaissance Helicopters, has ordered additional helicopters.
Having signed an agreement with Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ) for the supply of 6 T129 ATAK Attack and Tactical Reconnaissance Helicopters in 2018, the Philippines received the first two helicopters in March 2022. With the new delivery in November 2022, additional orders came from the Philippines, which received 2 more ATAKs.
According to the information obtained by SavunmaSanayiST.com; The Philippine Air Force has placed an additional T129 ATAK order by using its options within the scope of its 6 T129 ATAK helicopter order in 2018. Although it is not known how many ATAKs the additional order covers, the 6 T129 ATAK supply contract signed between the Philippines and TAI in 2018 had many options.
The Philippines' second batch of ATAK order is estimated to include 6 helicopters.
Turkish Aerospace Industries, which will deliver a total of six T129 ATAKs to the Philippine Air Force under the contract worth approximately 280 million USD, will deliver the remaining two helicopters in 2024. TAI, which will continue its T129 ATAK deliveries to Nigeria with Turkish security units in 2022, will focus on the Philippines in 2024.
T129 ATAK Helicopter
T129 ATTACK; It can be equipped with 500 pieces of 20 millimeter cannon ammunition, 16 pieces of Roketsan CİRİT Missiles, 8 pieces of L-UMTAS or UMTAS Missiles, 8 pieces of Stinger Missiles or 76 pieces of 70 millimeter rockets.
The helicopter is powered by two LHTEC-CTS800-4A Turboshaft Engines of 1,373 shp each. The helicopter, which can reach a maximum speed of 281 km / h; It has 3 hours of airtime, a range of 537 kilometers and an altitude ceiling of 15,000ft.
Until now, approximately 80 ATAK helicopters have been delivered to domestic and foreign users by TAI.