2 new attack helicopters, air surveillance radar system beef up PAF

The Philippine Air Force is set to accept into service two new Turkish-made T-129 ATAK attack helicopters and a Japanese air surveillance radar system. 

Department of National Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. will grace the scheduled ceremonial acceptance and commissioning at the Wallace Air Station, San Fernando City, La Union on 20 December. 

Turkish Aerospace Industries delivered the last batch of two T129B ATAK attack helicopters to the PAF at the Clark Air Base, Pampanga via a Turkish Air Force A400M Atlas transport aircraft on 30 November.  

These helicopters have gone through flight tests and inspections in preparation for their induction into service with the PAF's 18th Attack Squadron, 15th Strike Wing.

The Philippines is the first export market of the T129 ATAK attack helicopter, which is a Turkish derivative and modernized version of the Italian-made Agusta A129 Mangusta, built by Turkish Aerospace Industries.

The first two T-129s were delivered on 9 March last year, followed by a second batch of two delivered in December. These helicopters have already been utilized against local communist insurgents. 

The PAF's new assets will complement a pair of refurbished Bell AH-1S Huey Cobra attack helicopters from Jordan, along with armed light observation and transport helicopters.

PAF usually operates armed versions of light helicopters which include the MD Helicopters MD520MG Defender and AgustaWestland AW109E Power currently in its fleet.

The T129B ATAK is armed with an M197 20mm rotary cannon and four hardpoints allowing for rocket pods for guided and unguided rockets, the Roketsan UMTAS anti-tank air-to-ground missile, and the Air-to-Air Stinger short-range air-to-air missile. It can also be used for close air support, precision strikes, deep strikes, suppression of enemy air defense, security/urban warfare and air-to-air warfare. 

Meanwhile, the ASRS is part of the PAF's radar project signed on 14 August with Japanese electronics firm Mitsubishi Electric Corporation  amounting to P5.5 billion for four units of air surveillance radar.

The Japanese Embassy earlier said the ASRS contract is in line with ongoing efforts of the Japan Ministry of Defense "to promote cooperation in defense equipment and technology with other countries, based on the Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology."