LOOK: Two Units of Brand New T129 ATAK Helicopter from Turkey arrive in PH

Photo Courtesy || PH Air Force

Update (March 9, 2022) - The Philippine Air Force welcomes the arrival of two of six units of T-129 ATAK helicopters from Turkey on March 9, 2022, at Clark Air Base, Pampanga. 

A total of six units were acquired from Turkish Aerospace Industries in line with the AFP Modernization Program - Horizon 2. 

The 15th Strike Wing of the Philippine Air Force will operate these choppers alongside AH-1S Cobra helicopters for Close Air Support to ground troops, armed surveillance, and reconnaissance.  - Philippine Armed Forces

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The Philippine Air Force (PAF) will soon add Turkish-made attack helicopters in its arsenal as part of the AFP's modernization program. 

2 units of the T129 ATAK helicopter are expected to be delivered to the PAF this December according to Lt. Gen. Allen Paredes, PAF commander.

A total of six T129 attack helicopters will be acquired for a total contract price of USD269,388,862 (about PHP12.9 billion) from the Turkish Aerospace Industries through a government-to-government mode of procurement under Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act, according to Philippine Information Agency.

The T129 is a twin-engine, tandem-seat, multi-role, all-weather attack helicopter based on the Agusta A129 Mangusta platform and further developed in Turkey, which is designed for advanced attack and reconnaissance missions in hot, high environments and adverse geographical conditions, both day and night.

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The T129 ATAK is equipped with a 20 mm three-barrel rotary cannon in a nose turret with 500 ammunitions capacity and up to 76 unguided 70mm rockets for close air support. The helicopter is also equipped with up to 8 UMTAS 160 mm long range anti-tank missiles, 16 CIRIT 70 mm missiles, 8 air launched Stinger short range air-to-air missiles.

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The T129 ATAK helicopter also equipped with advanced electronic warfare and countermeasure systems which increase survival capability in the battlefield. The electronic warfare and countermeasure systems of the helicopter features Radar Warning Receiver System (RIAS), Radar Frequency Mixer System (RFKS) and Laser Receiver System (LIAS) in addition to Warning System (FIS), Countermeasure Firing System (KTAS), IR (Infrared), and Countermeasure System.

source || PIA and Wikipedia