Philippines receives two delayed T129 combat helicopters

MERSIN, Turkey — The Philippines took delivery of the last two of six T129 combat helicopters from Turkish Aerospace Industries, the company announced this week, about a year behind the anticipated schedule.

The acquisition is part of the Philippines’ Horizon 2 program to modernize its armed forces .

The helicopters arrived at Major Danilo Atienza Air Base in Cavite on May 17. A ceremony marking their arrival involved the head of the Philippines’ Air Combat Command, the wing commander of the 15th Strike Wing, and other unit commanders and representatives from the country’s Air Force.

The two platforms, designated No. 1505 and No. 1506, are the fifth and sixth T129 Atak helicopters procured through a $269 million government-to-government agreement with Turkey. They were meant to arrive in early 2023, Defense News previously reported .

The Philippine Air Force confirmed that the two helicopters, which initially arrived in the Philippines on Nov. 29, underwent technical inspections before their commissioning this month.

“These helicopters, known for their high performance in hot, high, and maritime conditions, are expected to significantly enhance the air force’s combat capabilities, particularly in urban warfare scenarios,” the service said in a news release.

The T129 is a twin-engine attack helicopter designed for day and night missions. It features observation and targeting systems, precision weapons capabilities, and lethal fire support technology.

The Philippine military is realigning its modernization program amid tension with China in nearby waterways. According to Philippine Army Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner, these changes aim to protect the country’s territories in the South China Sea, particularly Thitu Island, one of several disputed islands in the region.

A territorial defense strategy, released last year by the Philippines, prioritizes the protection of islands claimed by the country, particularly in the West Philippine Sea, including Thitu Island, Loaita Cay, West York Island, Flat Island and Nanshan Island.

Tayfun Ozberk is a Turkey correspondent for Defense News.

土耳其梅尔辛——土耳其航空航天工业公司本周宣布，菲律宾已接收了该公司生产的六架T129战斗直升机中的最后两架，比预期进度晚了大约一年。

此次采购是菲律宾“地平线2”计划的一部分，旨在实现军队现代化。

5月17日，直升机抵达甲米地省达尼洛·阿蒂恩扎少校空军基地。菲律宾空战司令部司令、第15打击联队联队长以及其他部队指挥官和空军代表出席了迎接仪式。

这两架编号分别为1505和1506的直升机，是根据与土耳其签署的价值2.69亿美元的政府间协议采购的第五架和第六架T129“阿塔克”直升机。据《防务新闻》此前报道，它们原计划于2023年初交付。

菲律宾空军证实，这两架直升机最初于 11 月 29 日抵达菲律宾，并在本月正式服役前接受了技术检查。

“这些直升机以其在炎热、高海拔和海上条件下的高性能而闻名，预计将显著提升空军的作战能力，尤其是在城市作战场景中，”空军在一份新闻稿中表示。

T129是一款双引擎攻击直升机，设计用于昼夜作战任务。它配备了侦察和目标指示系统、精确武器能力以及致命的火力支援技术。

鉴于菲律宾与中国在附近水域的紧张局势，菲律宾军方正在调整其现代化计划。据菲律宾陆军参谋长罗密欧·布劳纳将军称，这些调整旨在保护菲律宾在南海的领土，特别是该地区多个争议岛屿之一的铁土岛。

菲律宾去年发布的领土防御战略优先保护该国声称拥有主权的岛屿，特别是西菲律宾海的岛屿，包括蒂图岛、洛艾塔礁、西约克岛、弗拉特岛和南山岛。

Tayfun Ozberk 是《防务新闻》驻土耳其记者。