Command. The TKK is also receiving
six Boeing CH-47F heavy transport
helicopters, with an eventual order for 11
to be delivered by 2019.Attack helicopters — Cobra
Amid a backdrop of pressure from PKK
guerrilla activities, the existing ‘Hueys’
struggled in the rugged, high-altitude
environment of eastern Turkey. At the
end of 1990 a first batch of 10 ex-US
Marine Corps AH-1W Super Cobras was
acquired for the 1st Attack Helicopter
Battalion (Taarruz Helikopteri Taburu,
THT) of the 1st Air Regiment. These were
followed in mid-1993 by 32 second-hand
AH-1P/S Cobras (including a few TAH-1Ps
for training), all drawn from US Army
surplus stocks. These helicopters equipped
two newly established units within the
1st Air Regiment, the 2nd and 3rd Filo.
Three more ‘Whiskeys’ were delivered in
September 2012 as attrition replacements.
At a time of good relations, Israeli
industry helped the TKK upgrade the
AH-1P/S fleet to a similar standard as
Israel’s AH-1Fs, with a three-barrel M197
cannon replacing the TAT-141 turret, a new
fire control system, a tactical navigation
system, a laser rangefinder, secure voice
communications and a new central
computer unit. Other equipment included
AN/APR-39(v)5 and ARC-182 for self-Above: The T129
is now firmly
established in
Turkish service.
Mauro Finati
Left top to bottom:
The digital
cockpit of the
T129 incorporates
two color multi-
function displays,
a four-axis
automatic flight
control system
and weapon
control units.
Paolo Rollino
New aviators
typically fly in
the front seat
initially to gain
experience,
before becoming
a captain in the
back seat.
Paolo RollinoFORCE REPORT // TURKISH ARMY AVIATION
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