Turkey angers US by offering helicopters to Pakistan

[HAIDER]

Turkey angers US by offering helicopters to Pakistan

ANKARA - Turkey is aggressively lobbying to give T-129 attack helicopters to Pakistan to replace its aging AH-1F fleet and is prepared to agree to generous terms with cash-strapped Pakistan to do so, according to Turkish mediareports. The T-129 attack helicopter is a coproduction of the Turkish aerospace industries and a European consortium.

However, the US could sink the deal and make a counter offer of helicopter gunships to Pakistan that could be too good to refuse. According to Defence News, Turkey made its latest push during Nawaz Sharif’s September 16-18 visit to Turkey for the third high level Cooperation Council meeting. He was given a demonstration of the T-129’s capabilities and a potential deal was discussed.

Turkish officials confirmed talks have “matured to a certain extent,” and Turkey remains committed to any possible deal, not only for financial benefits but also potential strategic gains. “We see that both countries are keen to cooperate,” said one senior procurement official in Ankara. “We have a longer-term vision over any deal. We do not aim to win just one foreign contract but also view spillover benefits for the local industry.

The Pakistani market may win international recognition for the T-129 and pave the way for future contracts.” A US industry source in Ankara said a US export licence for the T-129’s engine would be critical. “This may require complex deliberations in Washington, involving many industrial and political parameters,” he said. Nevertheless, Turkey hopes the T-129 will be an export success.

In remarks carried by Turkish daily Today’s Zaman, Turkey’s procurement chief, Murad Bayar, said on September 23 that the T-129 attack helicopter “had strong export potential”. The T-129 has been going through acceptance tests before deliveries for the Turkish military. Officials expect the first delivery to be made within the next few weeks.

“We may complete the delivery of the first nine helicopters by the end of the year,” Bayar said. “After these helicopters make their way into the Turkish inventory, I believe they will have strong chances for export.”

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Turkey angers US by offering helicopters to Pakistan | Pakistan Today | Latest news | Breaking news | Pakistan News | World news | Business | Sport and Multimedia

 

[GR!FF!N]

ANKARA - Turkey is aggressively lobbying to give T-129 attack helicopters to Pakistan to replace its aging AH-1F fleet and is prepared to agree to generous terms with cash-strapped Pakistan to do so, according to Turkish mediareports. The T-129 attack helicopter is a coproduction of the Turkish aerospace industries and a European consortium. However, the US could sink the deal and make a counter offer of helicopter gunships to Pakistan that could be too good to refuse. According to Defence News, Turkey made its latest push during Nawaz Sharif’s September 16-18 visit to Turkey for the third high level Cooperation Council meeting. He was given a demonstration of the T-129’s capabilities and a potential deal was discussed. Turkish officials confirmed talks have “matured to a certain extent,” and Turkey remains committed to any possible deal, not only for financial benefits but also potential strategic gains. “We see that both countries are keen to cooperate,” said one senior procurement official in Ankara. “We have a longer-term vision over any deal. We do not aim to win just one foreign contract but also view spillover benefits for the local industry. The Pakistani market may win international recognition for the T-129 and pave the way for future contracts.” A US industry source in Ankara said a US export licence for the T-129’s engine would be critical. “This may require complex deliberations in Washington, involving many industrial and political parameters,” he said. Nevertheless, Turkey hopes the T-129 will be an export success. In remarks carried by Turkish daily Today’s Zaman, Turkey’s procurement chief, Murad Bayar, said on September 23 that the T-129 attack helicopter “had strong export potential”. The T-129 has been going through acceptance tests before deliveries for the Turkish military. Officials expect the first delivery to be made within the next few weeks. “We may complete the delivery of the first nine helicopters by the end of the year,” Bayar said. “After these helicopters make their way into the Turkish inventory, I believe they will have strong chances for export.” - See more at: Turkey angers US by offering helicopters to Pakistan | Pakistan Today | Latest news | Breaking news | Pakistan News | World news | Business | Sport and Multimedia

what do you think???should Pakistan choose T-129,or US helo(maybe its AH-64) or Chinese Z-10??

 

[junaid1]

I think Agreement with turkey must go on .Deal with U.S could cause delays and problems .We must not depend on U.S Weaponry

 

[Surenas]

I don't see anywhere in that news article being mentioned that the US is angered?

 

[airomerix]

The powerplant is still european. Another Gripen story in making.

 

[tarrar]

Turkey & China are good option for Pakistan.

 

[SHAMK9]

Go with Chinese ones already, Uncle Sam will keep f*cking up the deal with Turkey.

 

[Rafi]

Go with Chinese ones already, Uncle Sam will keep f*cking up the deal with Turkey.

We will be purchasing both, in line with the AWACS deal.

 

[SHAMK9]

We will be purchasing both, in line with the AWACS deal.

Any source?

 

[Pakistanisage]

Pakistan Should explore both Turkish offer as well as Chinese to see which one serves Pakistan's Strategic interest. Pakistan should explore Joint venture with Chinese that includes ToT. I seriously doubt Turkish offer would include ToT as they themselves have Joint Ventured with the European Consortium.

Pakistan has an excellent relationship with the Chinese , already, so that might be the way to go if ToT is included to sweeten the deal. In every deal, Pakistan should prefer Joint Ventures with China that support our own industry and support China's Defense Industry, as well. The main reason for this type of approach is our very special relationship with China and China's willingness to share Technology with Pakistan. Pakistan should really be doing more joint development projects with China like our very successful collaboration with them with the JF-17's.

As far as US is concerned , haven't we Pakistanis learnt our lesson. They sell us Military hardware and then put embargo on the Parts at the first sight of disagreement. Consequently Billions of Dollars of money tied up in Hardware becomes useless as the Equipment gathers RUST on the Tarmac. How many times do we need to get hit on the head with a baseball bat before we wise up.

 

[razgriz19]

Go with Chinese ones already, Uncle Sam will keep f*cking up the deal with Turkey.

too much reliance on China is also bad.

Its good to keep a balance. I hope the deal goes through

 

[JonAsad]

Wondering if Pakistan will learn from the history this time-

 

[Gessler]

The powerplant is still european. Another Gripen story in making.

American-European actually.

 

[shuntmaster]

American-European actually.

The TAI/AgustaWestland T129 is an attack helicopter developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), with AgustaWestland as the primary partner, using the Agusta A129 Mangusta as a base model.

 

[araz]

The news has been posted and has been discussed. There is a thread running on the turkish offer of helos to PA. There is nothing new here. I suggest we amalgamate this thread with the other thread running on T 129 to keep the knowledge pool together.
Araz