The “T129 ATAK” Multirole Combat Helicopter has been optimized for specific hot & high performance requirements of the Turkish Armed Forces. The T129 was developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) with partner AgustaWestland. A tandem seat, twin-engine, NATO-interoperable attack helicopter optimized for attack, armed reconnaissance, precision strike and deep strike missions, at day and night all environments and regardless of weather conditions based on the Agusta A129 Mangusta platform.
The T129 ATAK incorporates asymmetric weapon loading capability and enables the use of all weapons effectively according to mission requirements. For close combat support missions, a 20mm turreted gun with a capacity of 500 rounds and 70mm Classic Rockets with a capacity of 76 rockets have been integrated; whereas for multipurpose missions, 16 x CIRIT® 70mm Laser Guided Air-to-Ground Missiles, 8 x UMTAS® Long Range Anti-Tank Missiles and 8 x STINGER® Air-to-Air Missiles are integrated, as well as the state of the art EW systems and EO systems.
The T129 ATAK cockpit provides situational awareness through good visibility arcs and integrated mission and communication systems. Aselflir-300T targeting sight system increases image quality and range performance with real-time image processing and multiple target tracking with a thermal camera, laser rangefinder, designator and spot tracker. AVCI®-Helmet Mounted Display System provides integrated display capabilities to crew for extensive mission.
Within the scope of the Turkish ATAK Program, a total of 91 (59 + 32 optional) T129 ATAK Helicopters will be delivered to Turkish Land Forces and 9 T129 ATAK Helicopters will be delivered to Ministry of Interior. In 2017, Pakistan and Turkey were in the final stages of an agreement to buy 30 helicopters, according to news reports. As part of this process, 3 T129s of Turkish Land Forces took part in the Pakistan Day Parade on 23 March 2018. On 25 May 2018, it was reported that Pakistan signed an agreement with Turkey to procure 30 T129s.
