Pakistan is significantly going to purchases at least 30 units of
advanced and next generation T-129 Light Attack Helicopter from
Turkey. Both the countries have already signed a $1.5 billion primary
deal to export T-129 attack helicopters to Pakistan and it will be the
biggest ever defence deal of Turkish History although the deal has
still not yet finalized.

The Turkey government has already been delivered three new generation
T-129 light attack helicopters to Pakistan to take part in a parade on
the occasion of the country's National Day as a sign of solidarity
with the brotherly people of Pakistan. Pakistan Army and Airforce had
examined in serval times with the helicopters in line with their needs
and requirements.

T-129 is a next generation and high technology based light attack
helicopter developed and manufactured by Turkish Aerospace Industry.
The first Turkish prototype T-129 made its first flight in 2011 and
the Turkish Aerospace Industry delivered its 1st operational T-129
super advanced attack helicopters to the Turkish Army in 2013. The
Turkish Aerospace Industry manufactured a total of 27 attack
helicopter at the end of 2017 and were delivered to Turkish Army. The
T-129 was first used in combat mission in 2018 when Turkish troops
entered Syria fighting against Kurdish forces and a helicopter was
heavily damaged during fighting in Syria.

Turkey Aerospace Industry made T-129 super advanced attack helicopter
was operated by two crews. Its length is about 13.45 meters and height
3.4 meters, weight empty 2.35 tons and weight maximum takeoff 5.00
tons. It is powered by twin heavy LHTEC CTS800-4N turboshaft engines
and each engine power is 1362 shp. Its maximum speed is about 278 km/h
and cruising speed 269 km/h. Its service ceiling is about 6 kilometers
and combat operation range 561 kilometers.

T-129 helicopter specifically designed for ground attack and
reconnaissance and have so far recorded over 12,000 flight hours. It
has a fixed advanced 20 mm smoothbore cannon (500 rounds). Besides, it
can carry twelve of UMTAS anti-tank guided missiles and pods with
unoperated rockets system to survive. On the other hand, It has
organized with advanced and new generation radar and avionics system
technology. It is also fitted with sight systems and weapons, modified
airframe, updated drive train and new tail rotor.

Sherazur Rahman, a village primary school teacher and a writer from
Bangladesh. sherazbd@gmail.com