Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) has delivered two of the six T129B ATAK helicopters ordered by the Philippine Air Force (PAF), the service announced on March 9 via its social media channels.
The Pakistan Air Force said the two new helicopters, along with associated logistics and support equipment, arrived at Clark Air Base carrying two Airbus A400M transport aircraft of the Turkish Air Force. The remaining aircraft will be delivered in two batches between 2022 and 2023.
Although no timetable was provided, the service hopes to conduct acceptance testing and pilot instruction of the new helicopter before it officially enters the aircraft.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana earlier announced that the Department of Defense (DND) has allocated approximately $286.6 million for the attack helicopter program, noting that the new helicopter will enhance the rotor-fighting capabilities of the PAF currently using the MD 520MG and AW109E powered helicopters to support ground and counter-insurgency operations.
Until the end of 2018, PAF’s technical working group had selected the tandem-seat, twin-engine T129B platform – originally produced under license from AgustaWestland (now Leonardo) and based on the A129 Mangusta – for its attack helicopter program , the procurement process has been delayed for years due to export restrictions on US-built LHTEC CTS800-4A engines.
However, Turkish aerospace officials told the media in May 2021 that the U.S. State Department had approved engine sales and that production of the PAF helicopter could continue.
In April 2020, the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced that the Philippines was authorized to purchase six Bell AH-1Z Viper or Boeing AH-64E Apache attack helicopters — including engines, weapons, parts and training — for a combined value $1.95 billion, although the country will only choose one of the two platforms offered.
Local defense observers have pointed out that the high unit and operating costs of American-made helicopters mean the only realistic option has always been the A129B.
by JR
