Azerbaijan to Buy 60 Turkish T-129 Helicopters

Azerbaijan may become the first export buyer of the T-129,

the Turkish-developed variant of the Agusta A-129 light

attack helicopter, according to local media. (TAI photo)

Feb. 5, 2013 defense-aerospace.com

(Source: Trend News Agency; published Feb. 4, 2013)

Azerbaijan to Purchase Turkish T-129 ATAK Helicopters

BAKU, Azerbaijan --- Azerbaijan will purchase 60 T-129 ATAK helicopters manufactured by Turkey, the Sabah newspaper reported on Monday.

According to the report, Azerbaijan ordered T-129 ATAK helicopters from the Turkish aerospace company Türk Havacılık ve Uzay Sanayii (TAI), and mass production will begin in this year.

Purchase of 60 helicopters, specially manufactured for Azerbaijan, will cost $3 billion.

Besides Azerbaijan, UAE, Malaysia, Pakistan and Jordan showed an interest in buying helicopters.

Turkish-made ATAK combat helicopters are part of the state program aimed at ensuring the Turkish army with arms, equipment and outfit of own production. Currently, Turkey has achieved self-sufficiency in this sector at 50 percent.

ATAK helicopters can reach speeds of up to 300 kilometers per hour, to fly in any weather conditions and poor visibility.