THE Philippine Air Force (PAF) received on Wednesday, March 9, 2022, two units of T-129 ATAK helicopters from Turkey.
The helicopter units, acquired by PAF from Turkish Aerospace Industries in line with the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Modernization Plan, arrived around 12:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Clark Airbase in Mabalacat City in Pampanga.
They were loaded onboard two A400M of the Turkish Air Force.
PAF said its 15th Strike Wing will operate the T-129 helicopters and will be utilized for Close Air Support to ground troops and armed surveillance and reconnaissance.
It said the newly acquired air assets are dedicated attack helicopters much like the AH-1S Cobra.
“This new system will complement the several surface strike systems of the Air Force and will be another game changer in support to the numerous missions of the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” PAF said in a statement.
The PAF has a total contract of P13,727,248,240 with the firm for the six units of T-129 helicopters, including the logistical support and training of pilots and crew in Turkey.
PAF spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Maynard Mariano said the new helicopter units will help the AFP especially in surface strike capabilities.
He said the helicopters will undergo inspections and test flights before they can be formally accepted.
“It will go also a lot of orientation in country together with the pilots and the crew in country,” he said in an interview.
He added that the arrival of the four more units of T-129 helicopters is yet to be announced. (SunStar Philippines)