The Daily Sabah reported that the Turkish new attack helicopter, ATAK 2 will use a TV3-117 turboshaft engine purchased from Ukraine. Temel Kotil, chairperson of the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), which undertook the helicopter project said that they will acquire the engines to power the T929 helicopter, namely ATAK 2, from Ukraine during a live program on Turkish broadcaster HaberTürk. Temel Kotil, chairperson of the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), which undertook the helicopter project said that they will acquire the engines to power the T929 helicopter, namely ATAK 2, from Ukraine during a live program on Turkish broadcaster HaberTürk.
The TAI T929 ATAK 2 is a twin-engine, heavy attack helicopter under development by Turkish Aerospace Industries. The helicopter is designed for attack, electronic warfare, and reconnaissance missions in all-weather environments in both day and night conditions. The Atak 2 will incorporate some sub-systems and components developed under T129 and the T625 Gökbey helicopter projects. The heavy class helicopter can be tasked with air-to-ground combat, air-to-air combat, armed reconnaissance surveillance, and close air support (CAS) operations. It is being developed to meet a need for a heavy attack helicopter for the Turkish Land Forces and a requirement from the Turkish Navy to operate from the TCG Anadolu amphibious assault ship (LHD).
The Atak program ran into difficulties because of US sanctions imposed in 2019 after Ankara pushed ahead with the procurement of S-400 air defense missile systems from Russia. The US-made LHTEC CTS800-4A turboshaft engine for Atak, manufactured under a JV between Honeywell and Rolls-Royce, is affected by these sanctions. The T929 Atak 2 will be powered by two 2,500 horsepower turboshaft engines. Turkey is developing its turboshaft engine for the T129: the TS1400 from TUSA? Engine Industries. This may be a solution but its development is not expected to be completed until 2025. Turkish TAI has signed an agreement with Ukraine’s Motor Sich to supply fourteen TV3-117 engines for its developmental ATAK 2 heavy attack helicopter.
The Klimov TV3-117 is a Soviet Union/Russian gas turbine aero engine. It is used in the most medium-lift, utility, and attack helicopters designed by the Mil and Kamov design bureaus. The TV3-117 turboshaft engine was developed in 1974. The Motor Sich Joint Stock Company in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine 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
