The Turkish competitor of the Apache will receive a Ukrainian power plant. Yesterday, on June 29, the press service of Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) announced the signing of a contract with the Zaporozhye plant "Motor Sich".
The parties do not disclose the details of the transaction, while it is known that the signed contract includes the supply of 14 turboshaft engines. Most likely, they will be used for testing prototypes of ATAK-II heavy helicopters. The first pair of engines should be delivered to Turkey in September next year. It is planned to complete the delivery of all engines by 2025.
Signing of the contract between TAI and Motor Sich
Image source: twitter.com/TUSAS_TR
The promising Turkish development has not yet received an official name and is called a "heavy class combat helicopter" (Ağır Sınıf Taarruz Helikopter). Also in TAI is a new Yut ATAK-II helicopter. It is planned that this will be a combat vehicle weighing up to 10 tons and strike capabilities similar to the American AH-64 Apache.
Promo video of the ATAK-II helicopter
TAI already produces T129 attack helicopters for the Turkish army (the machine is a licensed copy of the Italian AW129 Mangusta helicopter, developed in the 80s). At the same time, it is indicated that the T129 has exhausted the possibilities for further modernization and should be replaced by a heavier combat vehicle.
