Last of Batch of Nine T129s Delivered to Turkish Army

ANKARA — The last in a batch of nine early entry packages of T129 attack helicopters was recently delivered to the Turkish Army, the local manufacturer said Aug. 17.

Tusas Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), maker of the T129 under license from the Italian-British company AgustaWestland, said that the chopper was delivered to the Turkish Army on July 31.

TAI started to deliver the T129 to the Turkish Army in April 2014. Under the full program, a batch of 59 helicopter gunships will be delivered. TAI officials say T129 features 97 percent sovereign production.

The Turkish Army deploys the T129 gunships at its southeastern military bases in Turkey to support anti-terror operations against Kurdish rebels fighting for autonomy.

The T129 choppers are Turkey's first locally made platforms under license. The attack and reconnaissance helicopters are outfitted with an arsenal of Hellfire missiles and guided rockets.

In addition to the Turkish Army, TAI hopes to sell the T129 to foreign markets.

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