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Turkey pitches T129, Anka and Hürkuş for Southeast Asian requirements
Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) is working to secure Southeast Asian markets for its products, i.e. the Hürkuş trainer aircraft, Anka unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and T129 ATAK attack helicopter.
According to the Hurriyet, TAI General Manager Temel Kotil engaged with officials from Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand at the 2017 Defence & Security defence exhibition currently taking place in Bangkok, Thailand.
TAI responded to a request-for-information from the Royal Thai Army (RTA) for new attack helicopters, and is willing to partner with a local firm to provide maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) and logistics support for a prospective RTA T129 order (IHS Jane’s).
TAI expects Bangkok to make a decision ‘within one year’, though the company is confident of the T129 meeting the RTA’s requirements (Shephard Media). Thailand is also interested in the TAI Anka UAV.
The Hurriyet also reported that Bangladesh is interested in the T129, Anka and Hürkuş, indicating growing interest in TAI’s product catalogue in South Asia. Currently, Pakistan is negotiating with TAI and Turkey’s Undersecretariat for Defence Industries (SSM) for 30 T129 ATAK to replace its aging AH-1F/S Cobra.
Bangladeshi interest in the T129, Anka UAV and Hürkuş could indicate plans to build close air support and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. Bangladesh is undertaking a comprehensive modernization effort for its armed forces, marquee tenders – such as a bid for eight multi-role fighters (with an option for four) and two anti-submarine warfare helicopters – are already in motion.
Many of Bangkok’s defence modernization requirements are being met by China, from whom it has ordered VT1 main battle tanks (MBT), VN1 armoured fighting vehicles and S26T submarines. However, Thailand is also acquiring from Ukraine (for Oplot-M MBTs) and South Korea (for a multi-mission frigate).
For TAI, the Thai, Malaysian, Indonesian and Bangladeshi markets would be important inroads for each of its programs, especially the T129, in which Ankara invested significantly to secure manufacturing, design ownership and systems as well as weapons integration rights. The SSM is in the process of building credit and loan mechanisms to support the Turkish defence industry’s overseas commercial efforts.
9 Comments
by Mohamed Ahmed
Selling this machine to Bangladesh is a dangerous proposition. Indian will find access and obtain all technologies to build countermeasures.
by Rolexer
Your concerns are legitimate. After all Bangladesh-India defense ties are at an all time high. Just 2 days ago the militaries of both nations concluded a joint exercise. India extended a loan of $5 billion dollars to Bangladesh when B’desh PM Sheikh Hasina visited India in April. Out of which nearly $1 Billion dollar was meant for defense purchases and the rest $ 4 Billion for infrastructure and agricultural projects. The total line of credit extended to B’desh by India is $8 billion dollars in the past 4 years. I wouldn’t be surprised if B’desh brings along its latest defense equipment in the future exercises with India. Whatever peculiarities the T-129 attack helicopter has, atleast in flight characteristics and weapon systems, will be known to India.
by Salman
Dont worry. There is nothing to obtain for bangladesh or india. It is a slow moving helicopter platform
The comm, altimeter, and radar(when added) are all known already
In fact bangladesh would be a loser to buy this over priced c**p
I hope some sense prevails in pakistan and it does not purchase this waste
by Mike
Bilal Poland was also verry interested in the T129, do you know the current status ?
by Sami Shahid
Pakistan should buy Anka Drone for surveillance & Military operations. Anyway, Pakistan should ask turkey not to provide weapons to to Bangladesh.
by Mike
Whatever kid… It only shows that you have no clue at all. This helicopter is considered as one of the most advanced attack helicopters in the world. The HAL LAH isnt a serious adversary for the T129. The T129 is in every point far more advanced. The T129 is faster, has a higher climb rate, is more reliable (NATO standards) and is more agile. The T129 also has next gen weapon systems, highly advanced avionics and countermeasures. especially in the field of countermeasures and weapon systems the t129 excels its european rivals. There is no doubt that B’desh knows that. Thats why they are going with the next gen helicopter T129 (and not with the Hal) alongside other East asian and East european countries. The T129 was even considered by the koreans and got to the finals along with 2 other top notch american helicopters like the Apache and AH Z1. It even outmaneuvered its european rival (Eurocopter 665) http://defense-update.com/20120604_south-korea-names-three-on-shortlist-for-attack-helicopters.html
And when the newvly deweloped Meteksan mmw radar-MILDAR is integrated Into the T129 (when its brought down to a more compact size) it will even further increase the T129’s operational capabilities and value. I think Pakistan choosed wisely and will not have any problems with the Indian HAL, in a future worst case scenario..
by Mike
If india and B’desh have really that close ties, I agree, turkey shouldnt -for the sake of pakistan’s safety- supply them with weapons.
by Steve
I agree ATAK is a serious and capable platform. Integrated mmw radar will make it more lethal and help performance in the dust clouds of the battlefield, where laser and optical are not as effective. We have an urgent requirement to counter Cold Start. It will realistically take 10-15 years to build an indigenous alternative. It isn’t cheap but we need quality to counter quantity the adversary possesses, and that can’t be had cheaply. The army are not stupid. Having a large fleet of capable, easy to maintain and rapidly deployable attack helicopters is an effective nonnuclear way to deal with this before our strike corps mobilise. We don’t want to use Nasr/TNW unless we have to. Will help in COIN in FATA like our Cobras have been…that’s the evidence that we need this too and not only Mi-35, that people keep advocating. Getting local production especially critical components as much as we can and integrating with Turkey’s supply chain is a good way to develop local industry. The only down side is Western engine which Turkey can eventually solve with an indigenous alternative. Pakistanis are very critical of the deal, which is not necessarily a bad thing as it adds scrutiny, but we should be clever here and move the deal to our advantage, and quickly.
by Syed Arbab Shah
Is there any advantage in buying and becoming a part of the supply chain of ANKA drones, considering that China is way ahead in this field and we could also have access to BEIDOU navigation satellite in times of war?