Boeing Apache, Bell Viper Shortlist May Shut Out Turkish ATAK Helicopter from Philippines

The United States’ approval of a possible sale of six Boeing Apache or Bell Viper helicopters on March 30 to the Philippines may shut the door on a proposed sale of Turkish ATAK T129 choppers to Manila.

In December 2019, Filipino Defense Secretary Lorenzana announced that the Philippine Air Force (PAF) has chosen the ATAK T129, adding that their budget for attack helicopters (estimated at US$250 million) could afford eight to 10 units. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) had been singed then to pursue negotiations. However there has been no development since the MoU.

Modest defence budget

The US State Department’s announcement states that the Philippines government has requested to buy six Boeing Apache AH-64E chopper plus weapons, communications and maintenance package worth $1.5 billion or six Bell AH-1Z Viper with fewer weapons worth $450 Million.

Selecting either of the US-made helicopters has come as  a surprise given the modest defence budget of  President Rodrigo Duterte’s government. The Philippines national budget  for 2020 is a modest 188.6 billion pesos ($3.6 billion).

This comes soon after  Manila is said to have concluded a deal with Russia buy 17 Mi171 heavy lift  helicopter worth some $250 Million. A Philippines delegation had visited Moscow and the Russian Helicopters’ plane in Ulan Ude from March 3-7 this year and a deal is said to be in the making, according to Russian sources.

ATAK helicopter engine trouble

The trigger for letting go the Turkish ATAK 129 (Advanced Attack and Tactical Reconnaissance Helicopter) is said to be American denial of export permission to sell the LHTEC T800-4A engine made by Rolls-Royce and Honeywell which has US-made components in it.

However, Turkey has not given up on the deal and is exploring other engine options- including developing one on its own or with help from a foreign source. A deal to sell 30 helicopters to Pakistan for an estimated $750 Million could not proceed due to lack of export license for the engine.

The US has been courting Philippines to buy helicopters for some time now. In November  2019, the PAF received two used Bell AH-1 Cobra attack helicopters which the government of  Jordan ‘gifted’ to the Philippines.