Pakistan evaluating new attack helicopter options

[Gryphon]

engine is american?

Yes. T-129 got American engine.

Since Army has received 4x Mi-35M, it would make sense to add more helicopters and raise a squadron with COIN and anti-tank/CAS roles.

In 2015, senior Russian diplomat Zamir Kabulov said Pakistan was interested in 10-12 pcs. Mi-35M has some commonality with few Mi-17/171 variants, for e.g. VK-2500 turboshaft engine.

However, maintenance of 3 different attack helicopters (Mi-35M, AH-1Z and one other) will be a headache for PAA in the future.

 

[syed_yusuf]

Yes. T-129 got American engine.

Since Army has received 4x Mi-35M, it would make sense to add more helicopters and raise a squadron with COIN and anti-tank/CAS roles.

Few years ago, senior Russian diplomat Zamir Kabulov said Pakistan was interested in 10-12 pcs. Mi-35M has some commonality with few Mi-17/171 variants, for e.g. VK-2500 turboshaft engine.

However, maintenance of 3 different attack helicopters (Mi-35M, AH-1Z and one other) will be a headache for PAA in the future.

remove AH-1Z ... that is not happening

 

[scionofPakwattan]

In terms of evaluating the T129, the Pakistan Army began the process in 2014 in Turkey. An Army team sent to Turkey was reportedly impressed with its performance. Under a framework agreement signed with the Turkish Undersecretariat of Defence Industries (SSM), a T129 ATAK was sent to Pakistan in 2016. The T129 P6 was received at Army Aviation Command in Multan on May 22, 2016.

According to TAI (via MSI Turkish Defence Review), the Army evaluated the T129 P6 in hot temperature conditions, high-altitude and, for a specific period, with limited logistics support. In Multan, it was 47° Celsius, while in Pano Aqil (another area where the T129 P6 was flown) it was 50° C. During its deployment test, the helicopter was put in a hangar in Quetta, an area where it did not drop below 48° C, through the night. The TAI team did not have access to spare parts and ground support equipment (GSE). From there, TAI flew the T129 to Himalayas, where the P6 was successfully flown at 14,000 ft at 23° C. It returned to Quetta, spending another night without its GSE. The final major test required TAI to directly fly the T129 from Quetta to Multan – i.e. 480 km – without any refuelling between the two locations.

In October 2017, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi during his official visit to Turkey confirmed that Islamabad was in talks with Ankara for the purchase of Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) T129 ATAK attack helicopters.

Z10s were returned back. Incorporation of WZ16 engines are still awaited. AH1Z future is uncertain due to current US policy. Spare parts for F16s are being delayed/stopped.

Now again news of continued evaluation process?

I spoke to an official of Pak army who partly oversees procurement of military equipment, confirmed that the status of Zulus has not changed and the delivery is going to happen as expected and planned

Yes. T-129 got American engine.

Since Army has received 4x Mi-35M, it would make sense to add more helicopters and raise a squadron with COIN and anti-tank/CAS roles.

In 2015, senior Russian diplomat Zamir Kabulov said Pakistan was interested in 10-12 pcs. Mi-35M has some commonality with few Mi-17/171 variants, for e.g. VK-2500 turboshaft engine.

However, maintenance of 3 different attack helicopters (Mi-35M, AH-1Z and one other) will be a headache for PAA in the future.

I had heard that Mi35s will replace PUMAs & mi17s for our special forces as they will be able to provide air support and transportation all in one package-we are expecting a fleet of 15-20 helos

 

[alikazmi007]

How about the south African one we might get the chance to jointly improve the platform and get somewhat experience for our nonexistent helicopter industry.
Plus side would be that it would also diversify our weapons procurement strategy.



View attachment 451161
Our Chinese friends actually use such helicopter

Dude hook me up, need to get me one of these. Traffic is bad out here!

 

[YeBeWarned]

Ideally 40 AH-Z1's and 20 Mil Mi35M's .. but as Americans wont be selling such large numbers to Pakistan so i guess realistically speaking , 40 T-129 will come

 

[EAK]

im willing to bet that Chinese z10 will be chosen...

Sorry too Late .. T-129 is already a done deal..
Manufacturing T 129S Chopper parts: Pakistan seeks $1.5b credit line from Turkey

 

[BATMAN]

Get Mi28 night hunter. Chahe kiston p hi le lo. We need something that can face Apache as India has it's eyes on it.

Pakistan need light weight agile attack heli and T-129 is the best choice.

 

[royalharris]

How about the south African one we might get the chance to jointly improve the platform and get somewhat experience for our nonexistent helicopter industry.
Plus side would be that it would also diversify our weapons procurement strategy.



View attachment 451161
Our Chinese friends actually use such helicopter

We are so poor and lack of technology that can only use such helicopter
The products with west background are always the best, pls

 

[DJ_Viper]

The Turkish T-129 is one of a number of attack helicopter types that Pakistan might look to acquire as it seeks to modernise its rotary-winged assault capabilities. Along with the Chinese-built Z-10 is it reported to have already been evaluated by Pakistan Army Aviation, while a follow-on buy of US-built AH-1Zs remains another possibility. (TAI)

Get Z-series with TOT and Turkish too, and you already have the Russian heli's. After you produce needed numbers, put some top brains on re-using the TOT, and build internal variants for transport and attack. You'd never have to spend precious $$ again. You guys have Cobra's, Russian heli's, and will have Turkish and Z-series. So plenty to learn from internally and build internal made in Pakistan variants. You can literally setup your entire heli manufacturing local industry for civilian consumption as well. TOT is applicable to all airframes so use it smartly.

 

[Taygibay]

@ HassanG and bananarep,


that's nor a helicopter but an autogyro!

The thrust comes from the propeller at the rear
and that flimsy set of blades on the top is not
powered [ or barely ], only spinning to provide lift.

On a real helicopter, the rotor gets the full power
of the engine [ save for the anti-couple small rear one ] using it
to corkscrew up through the air, as that downwash
we all know shows and tilting the blades relative
to level flight to push forward.

Autogyros do not hover and need a small "runway"
to take off and land.

Might still help for alikazmi's commuting problem.

The main advantage is size vs a normal plane.

The original idea was plane based though.​

If you search for it on internet, you'll see that
although very popular and varied, this solution
has severe restrictions balancing the good load
to power ratio.
If you go for the helo looking type without wings,
the loss of power means a descent to the ground
extremely like that of a brick or rock or anvil ...

The best thing about it is that it's a cheap plane.
But it is not a helicopter!

Have a great day, Tay.

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

Evaluate like the guy who goes to car show room and goes on Test drive after test drive but he can't decide

 

[New World]

We are so poor and lack of technology that can only use such helicopter
The products with west background are always the best, pls

He was not saying that Chinese Helicopters are like that or are in such bad shape..
actually he was replaying to the following post, and you can see the Pakistani made autogyro. see below picture.

 

[Fledgingwings]

Kyunke jab tak toothpaste tube khud hath nahi jorti hum is ka peecha nahi chortey. LMFAO

I got your point !

 

[kenyannoobie]

I spoke to an official of Pak army who partly oversees procurement of military equipment, confirmed that the status of Zulus has not changed and the delivery is going to happen as expected and planned



I had heard that Mi35s will replace PUMAs & mi17s for our special forces as they will be able to provide air support and transportation all in one package-we are expecting a fleet of 15-20 helos

That mix of battle taxi and attack roles makes the Hind series ideal for spec ops. Truly its designers were far sighted!

 

[Ahmet Pasha]

Can mi35 lift cargo externally?? If so then it could also be sort of a jack of all trades?

That mix of battle taxi and attack roles makes the Hind series ideal for spec ops. Truly its designers were far sighted!