Bids for Korea Attack Helicopter
For both the AH-X and KAH initiatives, AgustWestland is offering the T-129 version, currently under development for the Turkish Army. The T-129 is an upgraded variant of the Agusta A129 Mangusta. The
T-129 development is led by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), with AgustaWestland as the primary partner.
"It depends on the ROC for the KAH, but
the T-129 model is very competitive both for the AH-X and KAH," said an AgustaWestland official in charge of marketing in Northeast Asia.
If South Korea buys T-129s for its AH-X needs,
the T-129 platform will be used in developing a KAH with cost effectiveness for service, support and training, the official said.
The T-129 could also be retrofitted with Korean equipments developed for the KAH, he said.
Should South Korea select the T-129 for the KAH program, it would help Korea get easier access to the international collaborative program as well as reduce the estimated development time, costs and risks regarding the KAH, he noted, adding the T-129 will also ensure access to export market sales.
The first prototype of the T-129 made its successful first flight in September with four more prototypes scheduled to be built in 2010. Under a 2007 contract, the team of TAI, AgustaWestland and other local subcontractors will produce 50 T-129s with an option for a further 41 aircraft.
TAI is in charge of developing an indigenous mission computer, avionics, weapons systems, self-protection suites and the helmet-mounting cuing systems. Turkey has full marketing and intellectual property rights for the T-129 platform, and there are also no restrictions imposed on it for the export or transfer of the platform to other countries.
Powered by two LHTEC T800 engines, the T-129 has an operational range of 561 kilometers and can cruise at a speed of 269 kilometers per hour. It has a maximum takeoff weight of 11,023 pounds.
Weapons systems will include UMTAS locally-developed anti-tank missiles, Stinger AA missiles, a 20mm canon and unguided rockets.
Korea-Turkey Procurement Imbalance
Industrial sources here say possible cooperation between Korea and Turkey over the T-129 program, in particular, will help resolve an imbalance in defense procurement between the two governments.
Ankara is the biggest arms importer for Seoul. Turkey has bought a host of Korean defense systems in recent years. These include the $100 million contract over the K9 155m self-propelled howitzer in 2001 for the Turkish army; the $500 million deal to deliver 55 KT-1 Woongbi basic trainers for the Turkish air force in 2007; and the $400 million contract to help Turkey develop a main battle tank.
Turkey is also considering purchasing Korea's amphibious large-deck landing ships, tank landing ships and K-10 ammunition re-supply vehicles.
During the Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition in October, Murad Bayar, undersecretary for defense industries of the Turkish Ministry of National Defense, raised this issue when he met his Korean counterpart DAPA Commissioner Byun Moo-keun, according to the sources.
"In a meeting with the DAPA commissioner,
Bayar asked Korea to consider buying the T-129 or joining the Turkey-Italy helicopter program," an industry source said on condition of anonymity. "Byun responded he would review the option in a careful manner."
The DAPA, in fact, asked AgustaWestland to provide information on the T-129 for examination earlier this year, according to officials of the procurement agency.
The agency plans to begin exploratory development of the KAH next year with an investment of about 3 billion won ($2.6 million).
The T-129 is expected to compete with the refurbished Apache Longbow helicopters offered by the U.S. Army for the AH-X program. For the KAH, it would compete with Eurocopter, which is developing the Korea Utility Helicopter with Korea Aerospace Industries.
UK-Italy Helicopter Maker Vying for Korean Attack Chopper Bids
