Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Edogan has said that the country’s first domestically-produced assault helicopter is to be exported to friendly countries.
Speaking at a ceremony to hand-over T129 assault helicopter to the Turkish Armed Forces at the Turkish Army Air Defence Command in Ankara, the Turkish premier said, “Production of the assault helicopter is a milestone for the development of the country’s defense industry. As many as 59 helicopters will be handed over to the Turkish Armed Forces in the first phase, while some friendly countries have shown their interest for the purchase of these helicopters as well.”
The helicopter, produced with advanced technology and which can fly in all kind of weather conditions, has a flight range of 570 kilometres (km) and its development has enabled Turkey to join a limited group of countries with such a military and industrial capacity.
The helicopter was made by local engineers at Turkish Aerospace Institutions. Designed in two types with close air support and multi-task mission features, ATAK can undertake high-altitude missions with heavy artillery.
Equipped with at least 76 rockets for close air support and advanced electronic war materials, ATAK will use locally manufactured Mizrak anti-tank missiles.
The first ATAK prototype made its maiden flight on 17 August, 2011.
Besides Turkish PM Erdogan, President Abdullah Gul, Turkish Grand National Assembly Speaker Cemil Cicek, Chief of General Staff General Necdet Ozel, commander of the armed forces and other dignitaries participated in the ceremony.
