Turkey supplies helicopters to the Philippines
In July 2020, the Philippine government signed a contract worth approximately USD 269 million for the procurement of six T129B ATAK helicopters from Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI). This acquisition marked a significant step in enhancing the
Philippine Air Force's (PAF) rotary-wing combat capabilities under Horizon 2 of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Program.
Following delivery, the helicopters underwent acceptance testing and pilot orientation prior to formal induction into service. Although specific timelines were not disclosed, the PAF indicated these processes were essential to ensuring operational readiness.
Former Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana previously noted that the new helicopters would significantly boost the PAF's rotary-wing strike capabilities. Before this acquisition, the PAF primarily relied on MD520MG and AW109E Power helicopters to support ground operations and counter-insurgency missions.
The T129B ATAK is a tandem-seat, twin-engine attack helicopter developed under license from AgustaWestland (now Leonardo), and based on the Italian A129 Mangusta. The PAF's Technical Working Group selected the T129B platform as early as 2018, but the acquisition faced delays due to export restrictions on its US-manufactured LHTEC CTS800-4A engines.
This issue was resolved in May 2021 when Turkish Aerospace confirmed that the U.S. State Department had approved the export of the engines, enabling production for the PAF to proceed.
The first two helicopters, along with associated equipment, were delivered on March 8, 2022, via two Turkish Air Force Airbus A400M transport aircraft.
Video 1 by
Military Coverage published November 27, 2022, shows Philippines receives two new Turkish-made Atak helicopters
All six helicopters are now assigned to the
15th Strike Wing of the Philippine Air Force. They are expected to perform a range of missions, including aerial surveillance, reconnaissance, counterinsurgency, and close air support. "These dedicated attack helicopters are expected to enhance the combat operational capability of the PAF and address the identified capability gaps in urban warfare," the PAF stated.
Appeared:27.11.2022
