The primary batch of the six Turkish-made T129 “ATAK” assault helicopters will arrive in December. The six T129 assault helicopters will probably be acquired for a complete contract value of USD269,388,862 (about PHP12.9 billion) from the Turkish Aerospace Industries by means of a government-to-government mode of procurement underneath Republic Act 9184 or the Authorities Procurement Reform Act. Philippine Protection Secretary Delfin Lorenzana signed the contract for the acquisition of the Turkish assault helicopters in July final yr. The Philippine Air Power (PAF) is trying to purchase devoted however reasonably priced assault helicopters to beef up its fleet of lightly-armed helicopters, such because the MG-520 and AW-109E, that are getting used for counter-terror and floor help missions.
The TAI/AgustaWestland T129 ATAK is a twin-engine, tandem seat, multi-role, all-weather assault helicopter primarily based on the Agusta A129 Mangusta platform. The T129 was developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI)[1] with companion AgustaWestland. The helicopter is designed for superior assault and reconnaissance missions in sizzling and excessive environments and tough geography in each day and night time circumstances. The T129 is the results of the mixing of Turkish-developed avionics, airframe modifications, and weapon methods onto the AgustaWestland A129 airframe, with upgraded engines, transmission and rotor blades. It’s in use by the Turkish Military and different providers together with the Turkish Gendarmerie.
Commercial
The T129 ATAK helicopter additionally outfitted with superior digital warfare and countermeasure methods which improve survival functionality within the battlefield. The T129 ATAK can be utilized within the anti-armour, armed reconnaissance, floor assault, escort, asymmetrical, hearth help and quick vary anti-aircraft roles. The T129 ATAK is supplied with a 20 mm three-barrel rotary cannon in a nostril turret with 500 ammunitions capability and as much as 76 unguided 70mm rockets for shut air help. The helicopter can also be outfitted with as much as 8 UMTAS 160 mm lengthy vary anti-tank missiles, 16 CIRIT 70 mm missiles, 8 air launched Stinger quick vary air-to-air missiles. The digital warfare and countermeasure methods of the helicopter options Radar Warning Receiver System (RIAS), Radar Frequency Mixer System (RFKS) and Laser Receiver System (LIAS).
The T129 ATAK is optimized for “sizzling and excessive circumstances”, efficiency necessities towards difficult geographical and environmental circumstances in night time and day operations. It has a number of key enhancements over the unique A129 inline with the necessities of the Turkish Military. The T129 ATAK helicopter outfitted with Hunter Kaska built-in management system specifically designed for the helicopter. The system allows the automated orientation of goal detection and weapons methods to the pilot’s line of sight with its excessive monitoring accuracy. The helicopter additionally outfitted with a devoted electro-optical FLIR system ASELFLIR-300T for multi-purpose missions manufactured by Turkish firm Aselsan.
