Page 4 - ADAS 2024 - DAY 1

Turkish Attack Helicopters conditions. The aircraft’s advanced obser-
vation and targeting system and precision
weapons capability will provide lethal fire
Boost Philippines Defence support to surface forces with less collateral
damage. The attack helicopter’s battlefield
survivability is maximized by state of the art
integrated Aircraft Survivability Equipment
(ASE) including advanced Electronic Warfare
(EW) processor, Radar Warning Receiver
(RWR), Laser Warning System (LWS), Missile
Warning System (MWS) and advanced
self-protection using enhanced chaff and
flare Countermeasures Dispensing System
(CMDS), radar and IR jamming capability.
It can attain a speed of 281 kmph, has SPYDER™ Family
a range of 537 km and an endurance of
three hours (at Average Mission Weight, Mobile Air Defense Systems
ISA – Sea Level). The helicopter is heavily
armed for its size with four wing stations
carrying a range of weapons and also has
a chin-mounted 20 mm turreted gun with
500 rounds. It can carry eight UMTAS Anti-
Tank Guided Missiles (ATGM) or 76 x 70
mm (2.75”) classic rockets or 48 x 70 mm
The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has boosted was part of the priority projects under Horizon (2.75”) classic rockets or 16 x 70 mm (2.75”)
its aerial combat and ground attack capabil- 2 of the AFP Modernization Programme. CIRIT guided ATGMs or eight Stinger Air-to-
ity, having completed the induction of all six The helicopters were ordered at a cost of Air (AAM) missiles or 2 auxiliary fuel tanks
Turkish Aerospace T129 ‘ATAK’ helicopters USD286 million (approximately PHP 13.8 carrying 294L each.
ordered in July 2020. The last of six T129s billion at then exchange rates) in July 2020.
was delivered to the PAF’s 15th Strike Wing The PAF took delivery of its first two T129s
in May, this year. The T129 ATAK #1505 and in March, 2022, with two more helicopters The T129 ATAK Helicopter was developed
#1506 helicopters were delivered to the PAF delivered in December the same year. The to fulfill the attack helicopter requirements
last November and were the fifth and sixth PAF’s 15th Strike Wing is also home to of the Turkish Armed Forces, leveraging
T129 ATAK helicopters acquired through Embraer A-29 Super Tucanos, AH-1S Cobra Türkiye’s specific national capabilities and
a negotiated (government to government) attack helicopters from Jordan, the AW- has been optimized for challenging “hot and
procurement with Turkey. “These dedicated 109AH helicopter and other types. The PAF’s high” missions, effectively supporting the
attack helicopters are expected to enhance 15th Strike Wing was organized and acti- operations of the Turkish Armed Forces with
the combat operational capability of PAF vated as a provisional unit on 26 November its high manoeuvrability and performance
and address the capability gap identified in 1973, at Sangley Point, Cavite City, with a in both day and night conditions. As part
urban warfare,” a PAF spokesperson said. mission statement: To conduct counterin- of the ATAK Programme, 76 T129 ATAK
The Philippines is the first export customer surgency and special warfare operations. Helicopters will be delivered to the Turkish
to receive the T129, though Pakistan was Land Forces Command (59 definite and
originally destined to be the first recipient The T129 ATAK is a twin-engine dedicat- 17 optional), 27 to the Turkish Ministry of
of the Turkish-built attack helicopter. ed attack helicopter configured for day Interior (24 definite and 3 optional), six to
and night missions. It has proven its high the Philippines Air Force (completed) , and
The acquisition of the T129 ATAK helicopters performance in hot, high, and maritime six to the Nigerian Air Force.

See us at
ADAS 2024

Booth No. 1310 SMART AND TO THE POINT.

4 SEPTEMBER-25-2024 WWW.GBP.COM.SG/DAILY NEWS

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