Philippines Air Force receives Turkish T-129 ATAK helicopters.

According to information published by the Philippine MoD on March 9, 2022, the Philippine Air Force welcomes the arrival of two units of T-129 ATAK helicopters onboard the A400M from Turkey at Clark Air Base, Mabalacat City, Pampanga.

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Turkish made T-129 ATAK helicopter (Picture source: Philippine Air Force)

The TAI/AgustaWestland T129 ATAK is a twin-engine, tandem seat, multi-role, all-weather attack helicopter based on the Agusta A129 Mangusta platform. The T129 was developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) with partner AgustaWestland.

The helicopter is designed for advanced attack and reconnaissance missions in hot and high environments and rough geography in both day and night conditions.

The ATAK program was begun to meet the Turkish Armed Forces' requirements for an attack and tactical reconnaissance helicopter. The T129 is the result of the integration of Turkish-developed avionics, airframe modifications, and weapon systems onto the AgustaWestland A129 airframe, with upgraded engines, transmission, and rotor blades.

The T129 ATAK can be used in the anti-armor, armed reconnaissance, ground attack, escort, asymmetrical, fire support, and short-range anti-aircraft roles.

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.