Philippines receives two T129 ATAK helicopters from Turkey
The T129 Atak is a tandem two-seat, twin-engine helicopter designed for attack and reconnaissance missions. (Photo: Philippine Air Force)
The T129 ATAK fleet deal between the Philippines and Turkey were part of the Horizon 2 phase of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Modernisation Program.
The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has received two T129 ATAK helicopters from Turkey at the 15th Strike Wing headquarters in Sangley Point, Cavite.
The two aircraft will be used alongside the PAF’s armed light observation and transport helicopters, enhancing the combat operational capability of the force and addressing capability gaps in urban warfare.
The units were the fifth and sixth attack helicopters acquired in a US$280 million deal between Turkey and the Philippines. Its sister aircraft were the first helicopters Ankara delivered to a foreign country.
The T129 ATAK fleet deal was part of the Horizon 2 phase of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Modernization Program, a 300 billion Philippine peso ($5.2 billion) acquisition project to update the country’s military posture.
The T129 Atak is a tandem two-seat, twin-engine helicopter designed for attack and reconnaissance missions. The T129, developed from the Leonardo A129CBT, incorporates new engines, avionics, electro-optics, weapons, a modified airframe, an uprated drivetrain and a new tail rotor.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
You may also like
More from Air Warfare
-
![What lessons could Europe learn from air power use in Ukraine?]()
What lessons could Europe learn from air power use in Ukraine?
The use of air power by both sides in the ongoing conflict has been extensively focused on, influencing policy and procurement around the world. But are the lessons from the front line universally applicable, or should other nations be planning for very different scenarios?
-
![Paraguayan Air Force receives four A-29 Super Tucano aircraft]()
Paraguayan Air Force receives four A-29 Super Tucano aircraft
Six Super Tucano aircraft were ordered in July 2024, with Paraguay the fifth South American country to add the aircraft to modernise its fleet.
-
![Baykar completes Piaggio Aerospace takeover with plans to boost drone production]()
Baykar completes Piaggio Aerospace takeover with plans to boost drone production
The takeover of the Italian firm by Baykar solidifies the company’s efforts to forge closer ties with Italian industry, bolsters its partnership with Leonardo to produce UAVs and secures its foothold in Europe.
-
![US budget boosts Boeing’s F-15EX with $3.1 billion investment to increase fleet to 129]()
US budget boosts Boeing’s F-15EX with $3.1 billion investment to increase fleet to 129
The F-15EX Eagle II had already been singled out for further funding in January 2025, when it was chosen to replace the A-10 aircraft for the US National Guard.
-
![Spain earmarks $1.6 billion for Hurjet trainer aircraft acquisition]()
Spain earmarks $1.6 billion for Hurjet trainer aircraft acquisition
Spain’s Defence Minister told the Senate Defense Commission on 27 June of the decision to acquire Turkish Aerospace Industries’ (TAI) trainers as the country seeks to replace its Northrop F-5M aircraft.
