Free Republic

Turkey has ordered another nine Italian A129 helicopter gunships, but only if they can be delivered within two years. This is in addition to 51 A129s (called T129s for the Turkish version) already on order, which will be delivered after 2012. This is all because Turkey is in desperate need of more helicopter gunships. They have found this type of aircraft particularly useful against Kurdish separatists (the PKK) operating in southeastern Turkey. Currently, Turkey relies on a fleet of about two dozen elderly American AH-1 gunships, which are being worn out because of intense operations against the PKK. For most...

Turkey signs for more T129 attack helicopters By Craig Hoyle Turkey has increased its order for the T129 attack helicopter to 60 aircraft, with prime contractor Turkish Aerospace Industries to deliver nine newly ordered examples by mid-2012. Worth €150 million ($208 million), the contract extension - signed with AW129 producer AgustaWestland - will equip the Turkish army with a batch of TAI-assembled aircraft one year sooner than previously planned. © AgustaWestland AgustaWestland chief executive Giuseppe Orsi says the new deal "confirms how the partnership between AgustaWestland and its partners is able to effectively respond to customer's urgent requirements". Ankara had...

Turkey's helicopter gunship saga far from over Monday, April 2, 2007 Strangely, Italian-British AgustaWestland's victory in Turkish bid may lead to purchase of US choppers ÜMİT ENGİNSOY ANKARA/WASHINGTON- Turkish Daily News National Defense Minister Vecdi Gönül says Friday's selection of the Italian-British AgustaWestland as winner of Turkey's multibillion-dollar attack helicopter tender comes as an historic decision, putting an end to a 12-year uncertainty over the Army's key modernization program. But leading defense analysts and industry sources say that it is too early to reach this judgment, because U.S. manufacturers may eventually prove to be theunexpected but actual beneficiaries of the...

Turkey shortlists Rooivalk attack chopper Cape Town – It is an awe-inspiring sight, watching a nine-ton attack helicopter perform a loop and barrel rolls – the aeronautical equivalent of Luciano Pavarotti performing a perfect pike on the diving board. But this is exactly what Denel Aviation‘s CSH-2 Rooivalk attack helicopter can do – although that is not part of its operational flying capabilities. The Rooivalk was designed to fly in all weather conditions day or night at extremely low level, sometimes at an altitude of 10m, to avoid being detected. Developed in the 1990s, the Rooivalk (“Red Hawk”) is used...