by My Engineers
On Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima inducted two T-129 ATAK helicopters into fleet of Nigerian Air Force. This was a part of the efforts towards containing the multi-dimensional security challenges facing the country.
According to the President on Media and Publicity in the Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, two TK-129 ATAK helicopters and a King Air 360i aircraft were inducted at the Nigeria Air (NAF) base in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.
It will recalled that About two months ago, the Presidency inducted four additional Diamond-62 surveillance aircraft into the arsenal of the NAF thus boasting the Nigerian Air Force arsenals.
“Indeed, our solemn commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s security hinges upon the realisation that without vigilant attention to the needs of our Armed Forces, who are saddled with the maintenance of peace, law, order and stability, anarchy and lawlessness would surely prevail,” President Tinubu said.
He said: “I have no doubt that the deployment of these platforms would add impetus to the combat efficiency of the Nigerian Air Force in addressing our contemporary security challenges, not only within the shores of our country but also in the West African region. We are committed to taking the right steps to achieve the desired results.
“The acquisition of these aircraft amongst other military equipment, despite our budgetary constraints, is an expression of our commitment. We shall ensure that every sector of our nation benefits from the change that we promised.
“I, therefore, expect discipline in operation and a strong maintenance culture that will enable the nation to derive maximum benefits from these acquisitions.”
The Turkish Air Force A400M cargo plane carrying the T-129 attack helicopters touched down at the NAF Headquarters Tactical Air Command in Makurdi, Benue State on November 1, 2023, following its departure from the TAI facility near Ankara.
The journey to acquire these advanced helicopters began in 2021 when the Nigerian Air Force expressed the need to strengthen its firepower through the acquisition of attack helicopters. Negotiations were subsequently held with several international manufacturers, including European-based Airbus, India’s HAL, and Turkey’s TAI (Tusas Engine Industries).
In 2022, Nigerian military leaders engaged with prominent Turkish defence companies to explore the acquisition of advanced military hardware. This engagement resulted in a contract for the procurement of six TAI T-129 ATAK helicopters being signed by Nigeria in July 2022, with an estimated unit price of $45 million.
Notably, the defence partnership between Nigeria and Turkey was formally initiated in October 2021 during the visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to Nigeria. This marks a significant milestone in bilateral relations, emphasizing the importance of cooperation between the two nations in the field of defense technology and operational efficiency.
To ensure the optimal utilization of the T-129 ATAK helicopters, Nigerian Air Force personnel embarked on training in Turkey in May 2023. The training program focuses on the operation and maintenance of these advanced helicopters and is expected to continue for several months.
So what is this T-129 ATAK helicopters and King Air 360i aircraft inducted into the Service?
The T129 ATAK is a Turkish-developed attack helicopter that is widely regarded as one of the best in the world. It is based on the AgustaWestland A129 Mangusta, but features a number of significant improvements, including upgraded engines, transmission, and rotor blades, as well as Turkish-developed avionics and weapon systems.
The “T129 ATAK” Multirole Combat Helicopter has been optimized for specific hot and high performance requirements of the Turkish Armed Forces. A tandem seat, twin-engine, NATO-interoperable attack helicopter optimized for attack, armed reconnaissance, precision strike and deep strike missions, at day and night all environments and regardless of weather conditions.
The T129 ATAK incorporates asymmetric weapon loading capability and enables the use of all weapons effectively according to mission requirements. For close combat support missions, a 20mm turreted gun with a capacity of 500 rounds and 70mm Classic Rockets with a capacity of 76 rockets have been integrated; whereas for multipurpose missions, 16 x CIRIT® 70mm Laser Guided Air-to-Ground Missiles, 8 x UMTAS® Long Range Anti-Tank Missiles and 8 x STINGER® Air-to-Air Missiles are integrated, as well as the state of the art EW systems and EO systems.
The T129 ATAK cockpit provides situational awareness through good visibility arcs and integrated mission and communication systems. Aselflir-300T targeting sight system increases image quality and range performance with real-time image processing and multiple target tracking with a thermal camera, laser rangefinder, designator and spot tracker. AVCI®-Helmet Mounted Display System provides integrated display capabilities to crew for extensive mission.
Within the scope of the Turkish ATAK Program, a total of 91 (59 + 32 optional) T129 ATAK Helicopters will be delivered to Turkish Land Forces and 27 (24 + 3 optional) T129 ATAK Helicopters will be delivered to Ministry of Interior. More than 50 ATAK have been delivered so far.
Performance
The T129 ATAK is a highly maneuverable and agile helicopter, with a top speed of 280 km/h and a cruising speed of 250 km/h. It has a range of 500 km and can operate at altitudes up to 18,000 feet.
The T129 ATAK is equipped with a variety of sensors, including a radar, infrared search and track system, and electro-optical camera. This gives it a high level of situational awareness and allows it to engage targets in a variety of weather conditions and at all times of day or night.
The T129 ATAK is also equipped with a powerful armament suite, including: 70mm rockets, Hellfire anti-tank missiles, Stinger air-to-air missiles, A 30mm chain gun
This armament suite makes the T129 ATAK a highly versatile and deadly attack helicopter. It is capable of engaging a wide range of targets, including ground vehicles, armored vehicles, aircraft, and helicopters.
Valuability
The T129 ATAK is a valuable asset for any military that operates it. It is a highly capable and versatile attack helicopter that can be used for a wide range of missions, including: Close air support, Precision strikes, Reconnaissance, Anti-tank warfare, Air-to-air combat
The T129 ATAK is also relatively affordable to purchase and operate. It is estimated to cost around US$50 million per unit, which is significantly less than some other attack helicopters on the market.
Recent Developments
In 2023, Turkey delivered the first batch of two T129 ATAK helicopters to Nigeria. This was the first export of the T129 ATAK helicopter to a foreign country.
Nigeria plans to increase its order of T129 ATAK helicopters to six units. This is a testament to the high regard in which the T129 ATAK is held by the Nigerian military.
Case Study: The T129 ATAK in Action
The T129 ATAK has been used in combat by the Turkish military in a number of different operations, including: The Syrian Civil War, The Iraqi Civil War, The Fight Against Terrorism
In all of these operations, the T129 ATAK has proven to be a highly effective and reliable attack helicopter. For example, in the Syrian Civil War, the T129 ATAK has been used to provide close air support to Turkish ground forces and to destroy enemy tanks and armored vehicles.
The T129 ATAK has also been used by the Turkish military to carry out precision strikes against terrorist targets. For example, in 2018, the T129 ATAK was used to carry out a strike against a PKK camp in northern Iraq, killing a number of high-ranking PKK members.
The T129 ATAK is a valuable asset for the Turkish military and has proven to be a highly effective attack helicopter in combat. It is likely to continue to play an important role in the Turkish military’s operations for many years to come.
The arrival of the T-129 ATAK helicopters is anticipated to play a pivotal role in Nigeria’s counterinsurgency operations and other defense activities.
This acquisition complements Nigeria’s existing fleet of helicopters, which includes the Russian Mil Mi24/35 Hind and Agusta A109 Powers light attack helicopters. In addition to the Turkish T-129 ATAK helicopters, Nigeria is also set to receive 12 American AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters as part of a significant $875 million arms deal. These acquisitions will further enhance the country’s military capabilities. Also, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has initiated the retirement process for some of its aging Russian-made Mil Mi-24V/P attack helicopters.
The TAI T-129 ATAK is a versatile and highly maneuverable twin-engine attack helicopter developed under a license from the Italian-British company AgustaWestland, now known as Leonardo Helicopters. It is based on the A129 Mangusta and is designed to excel in challenging operational conditions, making it an ideal choice for Nigeria’s counterinsurgency efforts. Beyond counterterrorism operations, the T-129 ATAK is well-suited for a wide range of missions, including border patrol, search and rescue, and fire support.
The delivery of these advanced helicopters is a momentous step forward for the Nigerian Air Force, enhancing its aerial firepower and operational capabilities. In the coming years, Nigeria is also poised to receive various other Turkish-made defense equipment, such as Bayraktar TB2 drones and armored vehicles, as part of its ongoing efforts to modernize and strengthen its military capabilities.
As Nigeria continues to invest in advanced military technology and equipment, the country is taking proactive steps to address its evolving security challenges effectively. The T-129 ATAK helicopters are a tangible manifestation of Nigeria’s commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty and ensuring the safety and security of its citizens.