Despite some reports, the Pakistan Army Aviation Corps’ (PAA) T129 ATAK attack helicopter acquisition is on-track, according to Turkish Aerospace.
During the 2018 International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS), which was held in 27-30 November in Karachi, Pakistan, a Turkish Aerospace representative told Quwa that the PAA is slated to take delivery of its first attack helicopters in late 2020.
Tamer Özmen, Vice President of Corporate Marketing and Communications, told the state-owned news agency Anadolu Agency that there were no issues regarding the export of the T129’s engines to Pakistan.
The T129 is powered by two CTS800 turboshaft engines. The CTS800 is produced and marketed by LHTEC (Light Helicopter Turbine Engine Company), a joint-venture between Honeywell and Rolls-Royce.
Due to its US technology inputs, the CTS800 falls within ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations). ITAR requires the approval of the US government on third-party exports. Currently, Turkish Aerospace is waiting for that approval, though a decision (by Washington) has yet to be made.
Uncertainty regarding the sale of the CTS800 to Pakistan initially rose in August 2018 when observers – citing Ankara’s decision to procure the S-400 long-range air defence system from Russia in spite of US and NATO objections – noted that the US could block the third-party sale of these engines pressure Ankara.
Recently, Hurriyet reported that Turkish Aerospace was in talks with France and Poland over an alternative engine to power Pakistan’s T129s. That report was carried by Russian news agencies, including TASS. But this has yet to be corroborated by a verifiable source. Moreover, Turkish Aerospace denied the reports.
That said, the indefinite stay on the transfer of Bell Helicopter AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters (due to the US blocking military aid to Pakistan) and apparent uncertainty regarding the T129 has created an opening for the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) and its new Z-10ME.
A variant of the Z-10, the Z-10ME promises improvements to the attack helicopter platform’s survivability, operability in desert environments and offensive combat capabilities. If anything, the Z-10ME offers the Pakistan Army an available alternative should the AH-1Z or T129 (or both) programs fall through.
However, it would not be surprising if the collapse of the AH-1Z and T129 forces Pakistan to reset its attack helicopter plans entirely. Besides evaluating its new options, Pakistan could extend its indigenization drive to cover attack helicopters as well. In this case, an ITAR-free co-production partner could be pursued.
Don't Stop Here. Unlock the Rest of this Analysis Immediately
To read the rest of this deep dive -- including the honest assessments and comparative analyses that Quwa Plus members rely on -- you need access.
