T129 ATAK Deliveries & Inventory: How Many Built, and Which Operators? (2026)
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The T129 ATAK attack helicopter. Source: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).
T129 ATAK is Türkiye’s first serial-production attack helicopter, co-developed by TUSAŞ and Italy’s AgustaWestland (now Leonardo). First delivered to the Land Forces on 22 April 2014, it now serves with three Turkish security institutions and three export operators. This dossier compiles its delivery timeline, operators, exports and technical data from open sources and is updated regularly.
Contents: Tap each heading to expand — what the T129 is, operators, first delivery, how many delivered, exports, timeline, specifications, engine, subsystems and FAQ.
What is the T129 ATAK?
The T129 ATAK is a twin-engine attack helicopter, redesigned from the A129 Mangusta to Turkish requirements. About 95 percent of serial-production parts are made in Türkiye, with avionics, weapons and electro-optics largely supplied by ASELSAN, ROKETSAN and TEI.
It is one of the key programs that matured Türkiye’s platform-integration capability.
Which institutions operate it?
The T129 ATAK serves with three Turkish institutions and three export operators. The table summarises orders and deliveries per open sources.
Operator
Ordered
Delivered
Note / Configuration
Turkish Land Forces
60
58
9 T129A EDH + T129B
Turkish Gendarmerie
23
16
Latest: 14 Dec 2025 ‘J-1389 Yıldırım’
Turkish National Police
–
4
Police Aviation, Phase-2
Philippine Air Force
6
6
Completed May 2024
Nigerian Air Force
6
6
First delivery Nov 2023
Somali Air Force
6
6
Per open sources
Bangladesh Air Force
6
0
Ordered 2025
Pakistan Army Aviation
30
0
Blocked by US engine export (CAATSA)
Domestic deliveries total 78. The Gendarmerie’s latest aircraft arriving with the ASELFLIR-410 suite and an indigenous Sarsılmaz 20 mm gun shows subsystem localisation rising with each batch.
When was the first delivery? When did serial production start?
The maiden flight was on 28 September 2009. The first serial-production T129 entered service with the Land Forces on 22 April 2014. Nine interim T129A EDH (Early Delivery Helicopter) aircraft — armed with a 20 mm cannon and 70 mm rockets but lacking full anti-tank capability — were taken on first, followed by the fully equipped T129B.
How many have been delivered?
Per open sources, 78 domestically: 58 of 60 to the Land Forces, 16 of 23 to the Gendarmerie, and 4 to the National Police. The manufacturer cited over 100 serial-production examples by 2023.
T129 ATAK with a 70 mm rocket launcher and Stinger air-to-air missiles. Source: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Exports: Philippines, Nigeria, Somalia and Pakistan
The T129 ATAK is Türkiye’s first exported attack helicopter. The Philippines completed its 6-aircraft order in May 2024 (first delivery March 2022). Nigeria‘s ~$270M 6-helicopter contract saw first deliveries in November 2023. Somalia has also received 6 per open sources.
Note: A 30-helicopter Pakistan deal stalled after the US refused to export the CTS800 engine under CAATSA. The restriction pushed Türkiye to develop the indigenous TS1400 engine, which powers the heavier T929 ATAK-II.
Delivery timeline
Date
Event
Recipient
Source
28 Sep 2009
First flight (Vergiate, Italy)
—
TUSAŞ / AgustaWestland
22 Apr 2014
First serial-production delivery
Land Forces
TUSAŞ
2014–2016
T129A EDH early deliveries (9)
Land Forces
Open source
10 Feb 2018
One T129 lost over Afrin (sole loss)
Land Forces
Open source
Mar 2022
First export delivery (2)
Philippine AF
TUSAŞ
Nov 2023
First delivery (2)
Nigerian AF
DefenceWeb
May 2024
Final 2 — order completed
Philippine AF
Janes
2024
First delivery (parade)
Somali AF
Open source
14 Dec 2025
16th ATAK ‘J-1389 Yıldırım’
Gendarmerie
Army Recognition
Technical specifications
Feature
Value
Crew
2 (tandem)
Length
14.54 m
Main rotor diameter
11.9 m
Max speed
281 km/h
Range
537 km
Service ceiling
4,572 m (15,000 ft)
Engine
2× LHTEC CTS800-4A (1,024 kW each)
Cannon
1× M197 20 mm 3-barrel (500 rds) / indigenous Sarsılmaz 20 mm on new batches
Anti-tank missiles
8× UMTAS / L-UMTAS
Guided rockets
16× CİRİT 70 mm laser-guided
Air-to-air missiles
8× Stinger
Unguided rockets
76× 70 mm
EO/IR suite
ASELFLIR-300T / new: ASELFLIR-410
The T129 ATAK’s LHTEC CTS800-4A turboshaft, built under TEI licence. Source: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Engine: CTS800 and the indigenous TS1400
The T129 ATAK uses the LHTEC CTS800-4A (a Honeywell-Rolls-Royce venture) built under licence by TEI. After the US blocked exports to Pakistan, TEI developed the fully indigenous TS1400 turboshaft, now used on the T929 ATAK-II, with integration onto the T129 under way.
Subsystems and manufacturer
The prime contractor is TUSAŞ (TAI) in Ankara; AgustaWestland/Leonardo is co-developer.
Engine: LHTEC CTS800-4A (TEI licence); indigenous TEI TS1400 developed
Remaining units of the Land Forces’ 60-helicopter order and the Gendarmerie’s 23-helicopter program continue. Bangladesh ordered 6 in 2025. Medium-term attention shifts to TS1400 integration on the T129 and serial production of the heavier T929 ATAK-II.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the T129 ATAK first delivered?
The first serial-production T129 ATAK was delivered to the Turkish Land Forces on 22 April 2014. Its maiden flight was on 28 September 2009 in Vergiate, Italy.
How many T129 ATAK have been delivered?
Per open sources, 78 domestically: 58 to the Land Forces, 16 to the Gendarmerie and 4 to the National Police. Exports: 6 each to the Philippines, Nigeria and Somalia.
Which institutions operate the T129 ATAK?
Domestically the Land Forces, Gendarmerie and National Police; export operators are the air forces of the Philippines, Nigeria and Somalia. Bangladesh has placed an order.
Was the T129 ATAK delivered to the Gendarmerie?
Yes. The Gendarmerie operates 16 T129 ATAK; the latest, ‘J-1389 Yıldırım’ delivered 14 December 2025, carries the ASELFLIR-410 suite and an indigenous Sarsılmaz 20 mm gun.
Why did Pakistan not receive the T129 ATAK?
Pakistan ordered 30 in 2018, but the US refused to export the CTS800 engine under CAATSA — approving the same engine for the Philippines and Nigeria but not Pakistan.
Is the T129 ATAK’s engine indigenous?
The current T129 uses the LHTEC CTS800-4A built under TEI licence. To overcome export limits, TEI developed the indigenous TS1400 turboshaft.
