Philippines PH - Attack & Utility helicopter programs

Saithan

Experienced member
Denmark Correspondent
Messages
8,649
Reactions
37 19,764
Nation of residence
Denmark
Nation of origin
Turkey
This thread is for PAF attack and utility helicopters.


Latest information about ATAK T129
 

Saithan

Experienced member
Denmark Correspondent
Messages
8,649
Reactions
37 19,764
Nation of residence
Denmark
Nation of origin
Turkey

An older video from oct 2020 that sums up the Atak helicopter deal etc.

I saw a tweet yesterday that said the export permission of Atak to Philippines had been approved (meaning the export of engine etc. from US).
 

Saithan

Experienced member
Denmark Correspondent
Messages
8,649
Reactions
37 19,764
Nation of residence
Denmark
Nation of origin
Turkey

US approves Turkey military helicopter sale to Philippines​

Washington issues export licenses to Turkey to sell T129 attack helicopters, which use American engines
000_DV1822039.jpg

A TAI T129 Atak helicopter is pictured during an air display on the second day of the Farnborough International Air show in Hampshire, England, on July 15, 2014. (AFP) By Ragip Soylu in Istanbul

Published date: 17 May 2021 20:37 UTC | Last update: 8 hours 31 mins ago

The United States has approved export licences to Turkey to sell T129 military helicopters to the Philippines, multiple Turkish officials said on Monday.
Serdar Demir, a corporate communications president with T129 producer Turkish Aerospace Industries, known as TAI, said Washington had issued the required paperwork for the sale of six units of the attack helicopter.

The T129 is powered by two LHTEC T800-4A turboshaft engines, which are produced through a joint venture between the American firm Honeywell and the British company Rolls-Royce. US law requires foreign companies to obtain export permits for the US military grade commercial sales.
Washington issued the licences despite Congressional opposition against any military deal with Turkey.

Tensions between the US and Turkey spiked under theTrump administration over Ankara's insistence on going forward with its purchase of the Russian S-400 missile defence system.

US urges Turkey to give up Russian S-400 missile defence system

Following a series of failed negotiations, Turkey's activation of the missile system triggered US sanctions against the Turkish defence industry. The move also led to Washington removing Ankara from the F-35 fighter jet programme, which Turkey had initially helped fund.

However a Turkish official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Middle East Eye that the engine export licence didn't need Congressional authorisation because it was below the amount required by law for congressional oversight.

"The licence was directly issued by the State Department," the official said. “We also received export licences for the engines needed last year for T129 helicopters to be used by Turkish authorities.”

US law suggests that the government needs to notify Congress with regard to commercially licenced defense articles if they involve major defence sales of $25m or higher with NATO allies.

A State Department spokesperson declined to comment on the issue, saying that federal law and regulation bars them from doing so on such matters.
In 2018, Pakistan also struck a $1.5bn contract with TAI to purchase 30 T129 helicopters but the company could not get confirmation from the US Congress for the sale. Turkish officials received another six month extension in March from Pakistan to continue lobbying American lawmakers.

However Turkish officials believe an authorisation from the Congress is unlikely due to bilateral political tensions and Congressional animosity towards the Turkish President.

 

Isa Khan

Experienced member
Moderator
Messages
7,240
Reactions
53 10,301
Nation of residence
Bangladesh
Nation of origin
Bangladesh
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.

 

Anmdt

Experienced member
Naval Specialist
Professional
Messages
5,508
Solutions
2
Reactions
118 24,930
Nation of residence
Turkey
Nation of origin
Turkey
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.

I am sure as soon as getting the choppers they will be requesting Phase II upgrade.
 

Test7

Experienced member
Staff member
Administrator
Messages
4,785
Reactions
19 19,937
Nation of residence
United States of America
Nation of origin
Turkey

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.


dalumpines05102021-9.jpg

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)

 

Cabatli_TR

Experienced member
Staff member
Administrator
Messages
5,360
Reactions
81 45,455
Nation of residence
Turkey
Nation of origin
Turkey

September 2021: 2 Atak
February 2022: 2 Atak
February 2023: 2 Atak
 

Saithan

Experienced member
Denmark Correspondent
Messages
8,649
Reactions
37 19,764
Nation of residence
Denmark
Nation of origin
Turkey

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.


dalumpines05102021-9.jpg

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)

It's aprox. 47+ mio. USD a helicopter. That's a bit steep isn't it ?
 

Isa Khan

Experienced member
Moderator
Messages
7,240
Reactions
53 10,301
Nation of residence
Bangladesh
Nation of origin
Bangladesh

Philippine Air Force sends pilots, maintenance crew to Turkey to train on T129B ATAK helicopter​

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) announced on 22 May that it is sending pilots and maintenance crew to Turkey to undergo training on the Turkish Aerospace (TA) T129B ATAK helicopter: an indication that the PAF's acquisition of the twin-engined combat rotorcraft is progressing.

The PAF's ‘15 Strike Wing' announced via its Facebook account that it held a ‘send-off ceremony' for future T129 pilots and crew, adding that training will begin this month at TA's facilities in Ankara and be completed in August.

No further details were provided but the announcement was made after Serdar Demir, TA's director of marketing and communications, said on 18 May that the US State Department had recently approved the export license for the US-made LHTEC CTS800-4A engines that power the helicopter. This came after TA general manager Temel Kotil told the CNN Türk news channel in April that production of the PAF helicopters would begin “in the coming months”.

Janes understands that the PAF is aiming to acquire a minimum of six T129B helicopters.

Speaking to Janes on condition of anonymity, Turkish defence sources referred to the engine export approval as a “done deal”, adding that TA is now only awaiting “an official writing” from Washington. They also noted that Demir had “ensured the export approval” after making several visits to Washington.

The Philippine Department of National Defense (DND) has repeatedly stated that it wants to procure the T129 ATAK but Manila had also sought guarantees from Turkey about the platform's export availability.

 

Saithan

Experienced member
Denmark Correspondent
Messages
8,649
Reactions
37 19,764
Nation of residence
Denmark
Nation of origin
Turkey

2 ATAK by September, that's pretty fast, and good news. Could it be we had some that weren't in use and we use this opportunity export them ?

Do we have export variants, or just one variant ?
 

Saithan

Experienced member
Denmark Correspondent
Messages
8,649
Reactions
37 19,764
Nation of residence
Denmark
Nation of origin
Turkey

Philippine Air Force to receive first T129B attack helos in Q3 2021​

by Gabriel Dominguez & Alessandra Giovanzanti



Philippine Secretary of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana revealed on 24 May that Manila has ordered six Turkish Aerospace (TA) T129B ATAK helicopters for the Philippine Air Force (PAF), with deliveries expected to begin in the third quarter of this year, according to the state-owned Philippine News Agency (PNA).

Philippine Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana announced on 24 May that the PAF is expecting deliveries of six T-129 ATAK helicopters (similar to these ones in Turkish service) to begin in the third quarter of this year.  (Turkish Aerospace )

Philippine Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana announced on 24 May that the PAF is expecting deliveries of six T-129 ATAK helicopters (similar to these ones in Turkish service) to begin in the third quarter of this year. (Turkish Aerospace )

The agency also quoted Lorenzana as saying that Manila has earmarked about PHP13.8 billion (USD286.6 million) for the attack helicopter programme, adding that the new multirole, twin-engined, tandem-seat platforms are expected to enhance the rotary-wing combat capabilities of the PAF, which currently fields MD 520MG and AW109E Power light attack helicopters in the counter-insurgency and ground support roles.

Janes understands that the programme budget figure announced by Lorenzana would be sufficientto acquire at least six T129B helicopters along with related equipment, spares, support, and training.

Lorenzana's remarks came after the PAF announced on 22 May that it was sending pilots and maintenance crews from its ‘15 Strike Wing' to Turkey to undergo T129B training at TA's facilities in Ankara between late May and August.

No further details were provided but the announcement was made after Serdar Demir, TA's director of marketing and communications, said on 18 May that the US State Department had recently approved the export licence for the US-made LHTEC CTS800-4A engines that power the helicopter. This came after TA general manager Temel Kotil told the CNN Türk news channel in April that production of the PAF helicopters would begin “in the coming months”.
 

Saithan

Experienced member
Denmark Correspondent
Messages
8,649
Reactions
37 19,764
Nation of residence
Denmark
Nation of origin
Turkey
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.


According to YS export permit has been received.
 

RadarGudumluMuhimmat

Committed member
Messages
213
Reactions
1 619
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.


According to YS export permit has been received.
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.
 

Follow us on social media

Top Bottom