I am sure as soon as getting the choppers they will be requesting Phase II upgrade.The Philippine Air Force (PAF) is expected to receive its first batch of two new T129B ATAK attack helicopters from Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) before the end of 2021.
According to the Philippine defense page MaxDefense Philippines also reported on 23 May 2021 that the Philippine Air Force is expected to receive the first batch of two T129B ATAK attack helicopters by November 2021, in time for the founding anniversary of the Armed Forces of the Philippines on December 2021.
It also mentioned that the second batch of two helicopters are scheduled for delivery by 2022, and the final batch of two helicopters are to be delivered by 2023.
In addition, a social media post from the Philippine Air Force on 22 May 2021 mentioned that the service is sending pilots and technicians to Turkey for training from May to August 2021 to prepare in operating the new attack helicopters.
The Philippines Department of National Defense reportedly signed the contract to acquire six T129B ATAK attack helicopters from Turkish Aerospace Industries in 2020, but the deal was affected by the failure by TAI to secure an export license from the US Government for American-made LHTEC CTS800-4N turboshaft engines.
Reports from Turkish media outlets mentioned that TAI’s Vice President for Corporate Marketing and Communications Tamer Ozman made a confirmation that the US State Department has recently approved the export license for the LHTEC engines for T129 helicopters for the Philippines, and that paperwork was already released.
So far, the US and Turkish Governments has not made any comment or statements to support TAI’s claims.
The Philippine Air Force has allocated PHP13.8 billion (US$276 million) for the acquisition of six attack helicopters as part of its modernization program between 2018 to 2022.
Other options considered were the Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian and the Bell AH-1Z Viper, both of which were said to be more expensive than the TAI T129B ATAK.
The Philippines also received an offer for Turkey to finance additional helicopters, believed to be between 6 to 18 more units, as the PAF pushes to replaces its ageing fleet of McDonnell Douglas MD-520MG Defender light attack helicopters.
Philippines to receive first 2 T129B ATAK attack helicopters before yearend
The TAI T129 ATAK attack helicopter. The Philippine Air Force (PAF) is expected to receive its first batch of two new T129B ATAK attack he...www.asiapacificdefensejournal.com
Well I hope we got all the engines needed for the deal in our hands.I am sure as soon as getting the choppers they will be requesting Phase II upgrade.
It's aprox. 47+ mio. USD a helicopter. That's a bit steep isn't it ?PH set to acquire 6 Turkish attack helicopters: Lorenzana
The Philippines has acquired Turkish Aerospace Industries T129B "ATAK" helicopters for its attack helicopter program, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said on Monday.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana
"We have already ordered six (T129B helicopters)," Lorenzana said in a message to the Philippine News Agency (PNA).
The budget for the attack helicopter program is placed at around PHP13.8 billion.
"According to schedule, (deliveries will start in the) third quarter," Lorenzana said.
The T129 is a twin-engine, tandem seat, multi-role, all-weather attack helicopter based on the Agusta A129 Mangusta platform and is designed for advanced attack and reconnaissance missions in hot and high environments and rough geography in both day and night conditions.
The defense chief earlier said the Philippine Air Force (PAF) is more interested in acquiring the T129B for its attack helicopter program.
The PAF is looking to acquire dedicated but affordable attack helicopters to beef up its fleet of lightly-armed helicopters like the MG-520 and AW-109E which are being used for counter-terror and ground support missions. (PNA)
PH set to acquire 6 Turkish attack helicopters: Lorenzana
MANILA – The Philippines has acquired Turkish Aerospace Industries T129B "ATAK" helicopters for its attack helicopter program, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said on Monday."We have already ordered six (T129B helicopters)," Lorenzana said in a message to the Philippine News Agency...www.pna.gov.ph
The Philippines army has already approved, what do you ask?Philippines Set to Receive Turkish-Made Attack Helicopters
The United States reportedly approved export licenses for the helicopters, which are powered by American engines, earlier this month.thediplomat.com
The first two ATAK are to be delivered this month. Does anyone have any status on delivery ?
I was asking if anyone had the specific date for delivery and such. I imagine it'll be all over the news and such since it's the first export of ATAK.The Philippines army has already approved, what do you ask?
I was asking if anyone had the specific date for delivery and such. I imagine it'll be all over the news and such since it's the first export of ATAK.
The source you posted does not know anything, while we learned that the export permit was obtained from the mouth of Temel Kotil in a program broadcast on CNN, the friend named Max was still denying it. He just writes what he wants to hear, not a serious source.I found an old tweet saying delivery expected to November 2021.
Even though it's from May 2021 I wonder if that's more correct.
Türkiye'den Filipinler'e ATAK helikopteri ihracatı: ABD'den gerekli izinler alındı | Savunma Sanayi Haberleri
Türkiye, Filipinler'e T129 ATAK Taarruz ve Taktik Keşif Helikopteri ihracatı gerçekleştirmesi için ABD’den gerekli ihracat izinlerini aldı. Gerekli onayların tamamlanmasıyla Filipinler’e ilk partide 6 adet, ikincide 6 adet olmak üzere toplam 12 adet ATAK ihracatı yapılacak.www.yenisafak.com
According to YS export permit has been received.