Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) has inked a deal with Ukraine’s Motor Sich to purchase 14 heavy class attack helicopter engines. The deliveries will be completed by 2025 with the first two engines to be handed over in September 2022. The first flight of the heavy class attack helicopter, which will have nearly twice the take-off weight of the current ATAK helicopters, is scheduled to be carried out in 2023. The helicopter is being developed under the contract signed between the country’s Defense Industries Presidency (SSB) and TAI in 2019.
The Heavy Class Attack Helicopter (Improved ATAK or ATAK-II) Project will play an important role in reducing the foreign dependency and increasing the effectiveness of the Turkish Armed Forces by implementing indigenous, national and innovative solutions that emerged from current domestic projects. It is equipped with advanced technology target tracking and imaging systems, electronic warfare (EW) systems, navigation systems, communication systems and weapon systems. It is being designed and manufactured as a chopper with high maneuverability and performance.
Turkish Aerospace Industries, Inc. (Türk Havacılık ve Uzay Sanayi A.Åž., TUSAÅž) is the center of technology in design, development, manufacturing, integration of aerospace systems, modernization and after sales support in Turkey. TAI’s experience includes the licensed production of General Dynamics F-16, CASA/IPTN CN-235, SIAI-Marchetti SF.260 trainers, Cougar AS-532 helicopters as well as the design and development of Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), target drones and agricultural aircraft.
The Motor Sich Joint Stock Company in Zaporizhzhia is one of the largest engine manufacturers for airplanes and helicopters worldwide. Motor Sich inherited some of the former Soviet Union’s aero engine manufacturing capabilities. It produces turbofan, turboprop and rotary-wing turboshaft engines that power aircraft in Russian service, such as Mi- and Ka-series military helicopters. Ukraine may sell a stake in engine-producing giant Motor Sich to a Turkish company, Chas News reported the sale of some 50% stake in the Motor Sich.
