Ankara, (UNI) Turkey has completed the delivery of the T-129 ATAK attack helicopters to the Philippines ahead of schedule, despite repeated delays in the sale due to US restrictions on engine exports, Turkish newspaper Patronlar Dunyasi reported on Monday.
The delivery of six helicopters was supposed to be completed in 2024, but Turkey completed the shipments by the end of 2023, the newspaper reported.
The Philippines will hold a special fleet induction ceremony on December 20, the report said.
The Philippine Air Force’s technical working group first selected the T-129 ATAK helicopter for its attack helicopter programme in late 2018, the newspaper reported.
Since then, the sale of the batch has been delayed due to export restrictions on the US LHTEC CTS800-400A engine for the T-129 ATAK.