The Philippine Air Force has announced on March 9 the arrival of the firstbatch of the Turkish-made T-129 ATAK Helicopters.
“The PAF welcomes the arrival of two units of T129 ‘ATAK’ Helicoptersonboard the (Airbus) A-400M from Turkey at 30 minutes past midnight March9, 2022, at Clark Air Base, Mabalacat City, Pampanga,” Air Forcespokesperson Lt. Col. Maynard Mariano said in a statement.
Pakistan was among the first countries that expressed their interest in theTurkish attack helicopter, but Director-General of ISPR, Maj. Gen. BabarIftikhar of the Pakistan Army’s Inter-Services Public Relations was quotedsayinglink, “as far as the Turkish deal is concerned, we have moved on.”
The Philippines has purchased six attack helicopters from the TurkishAerospace Industries for $280 million.
The T-129 ATAK is an advanced two-seater, twin-engine helicopter designedfor attack and reconnaissance missions. It is equipped with 20 mmthree-barrel rotary cannon in a nose turret.
Although developed by Turkey, it is derived from Italy’s fabledAgustaWestland A129 Mangusta of Italy.Electronic Warfare
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The T1229 ATAK Helicopter is equipped with Electronic Warfare andCountermeasures (ECM) to prevent stinger missiles and javelins from lockingonto the gunship.
An ECM is an electrical or electronic device designed to trick or deceiveradar, sonar, or other detection systems, like infrared (IR) or lasers. Itcan be used both offensively and defensively to deny targeting informationto an enemy.
It is also equipped with Radar Warning Receiver System (RIAS), RadarFrequency Mixer System (RFKS) and Laser Receiver System (LIAS) in additionto Warning System (FIS), Countermeasure Firing System (KTAS), IR(Infrared), and Countermeasure System.