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Z-10 or T-129 Atak or AH-1Z for the Pakistan Army?

Turkey Pushes T-129 Gunships for Pakistan, but US Could Scupper Deal



ISLAMABAD AND 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 sources.

However, the US could sink the deal and make a counteroffer of helicopter gunships to Pakistan that could be too good to refuse.

Pakistani media reports state a deal with Turkey could lead to local production of the T-129 at Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC), but speculation that preparations are already underway to build a new helicopter production facility there could not be confirmed.

Turkey made its latest push during Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s Sept. 16-18 visit to Turkey for the Third High Level Cooperation Council meeting. Sharif 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.”

The official declined to comment on the modality of any deal.

However, a Pakistani source familiar with the negotiations said Turkey had offered to gift three T-129 helicopters to Pakistan with 2,300 items of spares. The T-129 variant in question was not clarified. The initial T-129A is being used for flight testing while the full specification T-129B is still under development.

Turkey followed the same approach in securing a deal for MKEK 155mm Panter howitzers with Pakistan in 2009. It is now produced in Pakistan by Heavy Industries Taxila.

However, a Turkish procurement official dealing with international agreements and financing voiced doubt over Pakistan’s ability to afford a deal.

“We know that Pakistan is not in the best financial shape. But this could be overcome with political will,” he said.

Salma Malik, assistant professor at the Department of Defence & Strategic Studies at Islamabad’s Quaid-i-Azam University, is uncertain, but not dismissive, saying this “depends on how and what kind of budgetary allocation the concerned offices have, and how they have outlaid it.”

A more serious potential obstacle, however, is obtaining US permission to export the LHTEC CTS800-4N engine powering the T-129.

A US industry source in Ankara said a US export license for the T-129’s engine would be critical. “This may require complex deliberations in Washington, involving many industrial and political parameters,” he said.

Brian Cloughley, former Australian defense attache to Islamabad, said Congress holds the key to the deal.

“It is most unlikely that either the White House or the Pentagon would attempt to deny an export license to Turkey for T-129 power plants and ancillaries, but the Defense Security Cooperation [Agency] is required to notify Congress of most proposed sales and obtain approval,” he said.

“Given the mood of Congress, it is extremely difficult to predict what they might or might not do. It takes only a couple of members or senators to demur, and the whole process could be halted. Everything depends on the political mood of the moment.”

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 Sept. 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.”

Azerbaijan is reportedly looking to buy 60 T-129 helicopters. Jordan’s King Abdullah, who was in Turkey in March, visited Turkish Aerospace Industries, co-maker of the T-129, and examined both the helicopter gunship and Turkey’s first locally-developed drone, the Anka.

Despite Turkey’s hopes, however, the US might try to tempt Pakistan with a deal for the AH-1Z Viper helicopter.

No one at the defense section in the US Embassy would comment on the matter, but details were confirmed by sources in Pakistan familiar with the deal.

Pakistan has been awarded US $300 million in foreign military financing for FY2013-2014, which could be used to procure the Viper attack helicopters, made by Bell.

This is part of a wider deal discussed during US Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton Carter’s trip to Islamabad on Sept. 17.

Cloughley, however, does not believe Pakistan will be tempted.

“I do not think that Pakistan would be tempted to ditch the T-129 deal if there were an offer of Vipers. There might be a good deal proposed by the US, but operating costs are high and would [argue] against acceptance. Further, and probably more significant, there is decided and most strong opposition in Pakistan to further deals with the US.”

as earlier i said "at last we will select z-10"
 

...

as earlier i said "at last we will select z-10"


Already been posted.

And no, Pakistan will buy the T-129, please read the article more carefully.

Pakistan has been awarded US $300 million in foreign military financing for FY2013-2014, which could be used to procure the Viper attack helicopters, made by Bell.

This is part of a wider deal discussed during US Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton Carter’s trip to Islamabad on Sept. 17.

Cloughley, however, does not believe Pakistan will be tempted.

“I do not think that Pakistan would be tempted to ditch the T-129 deal if there were an offer of Vipers. There might be a good deal proposed by the US, but operating costs are high and would [argue] against acceptance. Further, and probably more significant, there is decided and most strong opposition in Pakistan to further deals with the US.”
 
Already been posted.

And no, Pakistan will buy the T-129, please read the article more carefully.

i wish that pak-turkey sign the deal but
usa will not allow the turkey to export the helo to pakistan
its not depends upon us or turkey but upon usa
 
i wish that pak-turkey sign the deal but
usa will not allow the turkey to export the helo to pakistan
its not depends upon us or turkey but upon usa

Already been addressed by forum members and even the article you posted.

The US only has leverage on the engines, and even then it won't deny Turkey an export licence. The US cannot stop this deal from happening because it currently has no military or economic sanctions against Pakistan, and Turkey has ignored US sanctions in the past.

You also seem to be forgetting that the US is offering to sell it's helos to Pakistan too, along with a 300 million dollar loan. Punishing Pakistan for not buying from the US and buying from Turkey will just make the US look bad and lower it's standing in the defence market. It doesn't want to seem like it's trying to interfere in Pakistan's internal affairs, so any attempt to stifle this deal would look bad on the US.

Again, this isn't about wishing or being a fanboy, this is about facts.
 
Aselsan AVCI HMDU images

avci2hy2.jpg
avci1tj5.jpg
11-1.jpg

49403745.jpg
 
T800_800
T800_800x800.JPG

the main reason due to which usa may ban the export is Rah-66
same engine is use on this
600px-Rah-66_w_apache_02.jpg
 
it is better to launch open tender for a attack helicopter
and test all the contenders in different area in the country
this will be better rather than conspiracies
armed+Chinese+Z-10+Attack+Helicopter+gunship+PLA+Peoples+Liberation+Army+Air+Force+abcdefexport+pakitan+missile+hj10+atgm+rocket+wz-10+radaraam+++WZ-9+turboshaft+engine+firing+4th+5+6+7+8+9akd-10+navy+%25282%2529.jpg

PAA is really missing it as well as PAC also in manufacturing it.
 
PAA is really missing it as well as PAC also in manufacturing it.
if we compare price as earlier our air chief told
3 jf-17 thunders = 1 f-16
than 1 TAI/AgustaWestland T129= 2 CAIC WZ-10 approximately
 
T800_800
the main reason due to which usa may ban the export is Rah-66
same engine is use on this

Dude, Commanche was canceled a decade ago and never went into production. :disagree:

if we compare price as earlier our air chief told
3 jf-17 thunders = 1 f-16
than 1 TAI/AgustaWestland T129= 2 CAIC WZ-10 approximately

In turkish we have a saying "Ne kadar ekmek o kadar kofte"

which literally translates as "How much bread you have, that much meatballs you get" :)
 
In turkish we have a saying "Ne kadar ekmek o kadar kofte"

which literally translates as "How much bread you have, that much meatballs you get" :)
You're talking about the money , right ???
 
Yep, it basically means you get what you pay for.

edit:

I agree that generally western equipment is more expensive than its equavalent eastern product. But 3:1 2:1 ratios are just too extreme. There has to be something to make that much difference. What should be argued here is price/performance point not just the price. It doesn't always make sense to go for the expensive product but it has to be an informed decision with matching arguments.
 
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