Article Posted on : - Apr 28, 2014

The T129 attack helicopters lined up at TAI's tarmac. A TAI photo

ANKARA (BNS): The Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) has delivered the first batch of T129 attack helicopters to the country's land forces.

The combat choppers, developed by TAI in partnership with Italy's AgustaWestland, were handed over to the Turkish Land Forces Command (TLFC) on April 22, TAI said in a statement without detailing how many helicopters were delivered.

The company, however, posted a photo of nine T-129 ATAK attack helicopters lined up at its tarmac.

The T129, based on the AgustaWestland A129 Mangusta attack helicopter, began flight trials in August 2011.

Turkey had inked a deal with AgustaWestland in 2008 to jointly produce 51 Turkish variant of the A129 Mangusta helicopters for the Army.

In 2010, it ordered nine more such choppers, taking the total number to 60.

The T129 twin-engine twin-seat helicopter incorporates indigenous systems and equipment, including avionics, communication, navigation and weapons.