*ANAKARA – Pakistan has signed an agreement with Turkey to procure 30Turkish attack helicopters worth $ 1.5 billion, Daily Sabah newspaperreported on Saturday. It would be the largest ever deal of military exportsin the history of Turkey.*

Accoring to the Turkish newspaper, the ruling Justic and Devlopment Party(AK Party) has also mentioned the deal in its election menifesto announcedon Thursday.

T129 ATAK helicopters from Turkey participated in a fly-past ceremony inIslamabad on the occasion of Pakistan Day that is celebrated on March 23.

The paper reported that the helicopter was added to the inventory of theTurkish Armed Forces (TSK) in 2014.

“ATAK helicopters, one of the most remarkable products of the national andoriginal production model in the defense industry, have also paved the wayfor exports with its outstanding performance. Ongoing talks with Pakistanon the export of ATAK helicopters have had positive results,” Daily Sabahsaid in its report on Saturday.

“With the sales contract, the longstanding cooperation and bilateralrelations between Pakistan and Turkey in the defense field gained a newdimension,” it said.

Pakistan Army’s Aviation Corps which operates hundreds of helicopters issaid to have placed orders for 30 ATAK helicopters.