TAI Hands Over First Upgraded ATAK Helicopter to Turkish Security Forces

Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) officially handed over the first upgraded ATAK Phase-2 rotorcraft to the General Directorate of Security today.

“Today, we attended the first T129 ATAK helicopter delivery ceremony. General Directorate of Security has received a more competent ATAK FAZ-2 version,” Ismail Demir, head of the Defense Industries Presidency (SSB), tweeted today.

The ATAK Phase-2 made its maiden flight in November 2019. Export prospects of T129s could take a favourable turn with the upgrades which includes equipping the aircraft with improved electronic warfare (EW) systems, laser warning receiver, radio frequency jammer, radar warning system and 9681 V/UHF Radio.

The upgraded ATAK helicopter is in line to be delivered to Pakistan – provided Turkey develops a locally-made engine, or the U.S. allows the export of the CTS800-4A engine. Turkey was supposed to design a new engine for Pakistan’s 30 aircraft this year. The latest upgrade could make Islamabad want to wait a little longer to get the helicopters.