The Department of National Defense is acquiring six attack helicopters from a Turkish aircraft manufacturing firm for $269.38 million (about P12.9 billion), boosting the military’s capability in counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency efforts.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said two of the T-129 attack helicopters are due for delivery in the third quarter of this year.
DND spokesman Arsenio Andolong said the contract was signed last year with Turkish Aerospace Industries under a government-to-government mode of procurement.
“Based on latest developments, we are expecting the first two units of T-129 attack helicopters for the Philippine Air Force to be delivered this September,” he said.
Andolong said two other other units are due to be delivered in February next year while the remaining two are expected in February 2023.
