14 December 2021
The Philippine Air Force (PAF) inspects its first pair of the six ordered Turkish Aerospace (TA) T129B ATAK helicopters, originally produced under license from AgustaWestland (now Leonardo) and based on the A129 Mangusta – for its attack helicopter programme, with a price tag of US$286.6 million, along with related equipment, spares, support, and training.
Delivery is expected to begin next week in batches of two, while the remaining aircraft will be delivered in 2022 and 2023, according to the Department of National Defence (DND).
Philippine Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana announced yesterday that the helicopter deliveries of six T-129 ATAK helicopters which was supposed to be de in the country last September was delayed due to licensing issues with its engine manufacturer Light Helicopter Turbine Engine Company (LHTEC), a joint venture between Honeywell & Rolls Royce, which sale require clearance from the United States Congress.
Export restrictions on the US-made LHTEC CTS800-4A engines was eventually cleared by the United States.
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.
Lorenzana said PAF pilots and maintenance crews from its ‘15 Strike Wing' who went to Turkey to undergo T129B training at TA's facilities in Ankara in September will bring home the chopper.
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.
Lorenzana said PAF pilots and maintenance crews from its ‘15 Strike Wing' who went to Turkey to undergo T129B training at TA's facilities in Ankara in September will bring home the chopper.
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