Turkey has submitted a request to the US-British co-production engines. However, due to the crisis did not respond positively to demand ATAK exports became uncertain.
Turkey's long-standing barriers to vaccination engine for the export of works that appeared on Attack helicopters for export. Sales uncertainty continues due to the US-UK co-production engine of ATAK.
President Tayyip Erdogan's statements at a meeting with the chief executive of newspapers and televisions the previous day, the US-UK co-production engine used in the ATAK helicopter was requested from the British Rolls Royce'tan, but this request was not responded positively.
On July 13, 2018, the Presidency of Defense Industry reached an agreement to sell 30 T129 ATAK helicopters to Pakistan. Agreement that the total amount of exports made during the period was 1.5 billion dollars and was noted to be carried out so that the largest defense industry exports at a time in the history of Turkey. The Philippines also stated that the interest in the ATAK helicopter, in this context, Defense Industry Cooperation between the Philippines and Turkey Memorandum of Understanding was signed.
Seeking an alternative
At that time, it was reported that the first ATAK helicopter would be delivered to Pakistan in 2019, but the engine problem, one of the most important parts of the helicopter, appeared on the calendar. Turkish Aerospace Industry Inc. (TUSAŞ / TAI), ATAK helicopter uses CTS800 type engine produced by Light Helicopter Turbine Engine Company (LHTEC), a joint venture between American Honeywell and British Rolls Royce. Since this engine is used in the helicopter, the US Department of Defense (Pentagon) needs permission to export it to another country. The Pentagon has not yet issued this permit. This permission is not expected to be issued in the short term at a time of threat from the United States due to S-400 missiles received from Russia.
At the end of last year it had taken place in the press news that the direction of the LHTEC engine to look for alternatives for the ATAK France, Poland and Turkey. However, Pakistan requires a re-test flight in the Himalayas if an ATAK helicopter uses engines from a country other than the US.
The first test of the turbocharger engine designed by TUSAŞ Motor Sanayii (TEI) as domestic helicopter engine was performed at the end of last year. Domestic helicopter engine to come to the mass production stage and can be used in the ATAK helicopter can be realized in the long term.
Turkey is currently in the Land Forces Command 41, a total of 47, including 6 ATTACK helikoper the Gendarmerie General Command was delivered.
Best alternative is AH-1Z
USA will never block sale if we pay them
