Turkey Finally Lands Upgraded Attack Helicopters (updated)
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Turkey has been looking to modernize its attack helicopter fleet since the mid-1990s, but the process has mostly served as an object lesson in how not to buy defense equipment. DID has covered difficulties with this competition before; after numerous snafus, technology transfer and production issues, and canceled competitions, all 3 invited American manufacturers had abandoned the competition entirely.
Even the most recent “final” round seemed imperiled, following reports of the Turkish military’s deep dissatisfaction with the choices; nevertheless, the competition survived long enough to pick a “winner”: an updated version of its A129. Now, signed industrial arrangements contracts with AugustaWestland allow the 12-year program to move forward at last. But Turkey didn’t just buy helicopters – they bought the model, lock, stock, and rotor, in a transaction that has just completed…
- The Finalists
- The Winner
- Contracts & Key Events
- Appendix A: “I Coulda Been A Contenda…”
- Additional Readings and Sources
The Finalists
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In July 2006, Turkish Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul announced that Turkey would continue talks with Denel of South Africa (AH-2A Rooivalk) and Agusta Aerospace of Italy (A129 International) for Turkey’s Land Forces Command’s Tactical Reconnaissance & Attack Helicopter (ATAK) Project. The Franco-German EADS Eurocopter (Tiger) and Kamov of Russia (Ka-50-2 Erdogan with IAI) were eliminated.
Neither of the finalists had been exported before, and at the time they were competing for co-production of 30 helicopters with options for another 20 more. That projected $1.6 billion contract was still well short of the 91 attack helicopters originally called for when the program began. Still, it was progress.
The Winner
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Defense Minister Gonul made the Turkish perspective clear long ago when he noted that “the goal is to co-produce the helicopters, not to buy them off the shelf.” The Houston Chronicle reports that bidding rules also included full access to the aircraft’s specific software codes, and a written guarantee from the provider’s government that there will be no political obstacles to the export of the arms.
These terms have become reality. On March 30/07, Finmeccanica subsidiary AugustaWestland issued this announcement :
“The Turkish Executive Committee has announced today that it is to start contract negotiations with AgustaWestland, in partnership with Turkish Aviation Industry (TAI), for the Tactical Reconnaissance and Attack Helicopter – ATAK Project – for the Turkish Land Forces Command. The estimated value of this programme to AgustaWestland is in excess of 1.2 billion EURO based on the requirement for 51 A129 helicopters.” [DID: currently about $1.6 billion]
”....The AgustaWestland proposal includes significant industrial benefits for Turkey. Several leading Turkish aerospace companies, such as TAI and Aselsan, will be involved in the programme. Final assembly, delivery and acceptance of the aircraft will also take place in Turkey. The A129 is a multi-role combat helicopter designed for day/night and adverse weather combat operations. The A129, powered by two LHTEC T800 turboshaft engines, has a state-of-the-art cockpit….”
At the time, DID cautioned its readers by noting that the release merely announced the beginning of negotiations. While “preferred source” negotiations have a strong record of success, this is also the exact stage in the process where previous acquisition attempts have failed. The Turkish News quoted an industry source some time ago: “Our procurement history is full of illusions of victory… When a bidder wins a contract it thinks the game is over. It may not be so.”
In this case, however, it was. A contract was signed in September 2007 for 50 helicopters, plus another 41 on option under the same terms.
Turkish Aerospace Industries is the prime contractor. Aselsan and AgustaWestland will be the subcontractors, under a collaboration agreement in which TAI shares ownership of intellectual property rights for the new A129 configuration with AugustaWestland. TAI will also become the sole source for the production of the whole fuselage, including final assembly and flight operations, and will be responsible for marketing the “T-129 attack helicopters” to the world
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The A129 Mangusta (trans. “Mongoose”) entered service with the Italian Army in 1989; AugustaWestland offered it as a base for the Franco-German Tiger partnership, but cooperation was declined in favor of a Franco-German R&D program. The current service inventory is 60 machines, 15 of which are the more modern A129 International standard with uprated engines, rotors (5-bladed vs. 4), weapons, and defensive systems. The other 45 are being upgraded to that level under a 2002 contract, and deliveries are expected to be complete in 2008.
This helicopter is notable for its low frontal profile and offers a good mix of surveillance, gun and missile capabilities, but it has not been successfully exported to date. The A129 has seen service with Italian forces in Angola, Macedonia, Somalia, and Iraq.
Contracts & Key Events
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June 24/08: The agreement between AgustaWestland and TAI formally comes into effect. The program is expected to last for 114 months (9.5 years), and the 1st “T129” attack helicopter will be delivered to Turkey in June 2013. Other international orders may follow, if TAI can win them. AgustaWestland release:
“AgustaWestland is pleased to announce that the contracts of the Turkish Attack and Reconnaissance Helicopter (ATAK) Program have become effective and the program has officially started at the ceremony held at the facilities of the Turkish Aerospace Industries, Inc. (TAI) today…. having the right to use and administer the intellectual property of the T129 ATAK Helicopter, TAI shall be the sole source for its work share under the ATAK program for all potential future world wide sales of the T129 ATAK Helicopter. The Collaboration Agreement also provides TAI with the right to sell and market the T129 ATAK Helicopter worldwide.”
Sept 7/07: The Turkish SSM procurement agency announces the signing of industrial arrangements contracts with AugustaWestland:
“Within the framework of ATAK Program as per Defence Industry Executive Committee Decree dated 30th of March 2007, Contracts between SSM, TUSAS (TAI), AGUSTAWESTLAND and ASELSAN have been signed on 7th of September, 2007. Official signature ceremony will be held soon.”
Some unresolved questions remained, but both were cleared up by the Sept 17/07 TAI release. Defense-Aerospace reports that Turkey will take over the entire A129 Mangusta program, and transfer the production line to Turkish Aerospace Industries’ facility outside Ankara. This was confirmed.
The second question concerns the number of helicopters, which has now been resolved. Previous reports in the Turkish press gave figures of 30 helicopters+20 optional, a far cry from the 91 originally desired. Finmeccanica’s Sept 11/07 announcement [PDF format], set the number at 51 A129 helicopters, with an estimated value for AgustaWestland of around EUR 1.2 billion, and no mention of options. TAI’s Sept 17/07 release, however, clearly notes the deal’s structure of 51 helicopters + 41 options, for a total of 91.
March 30/07: AugustaWestland announces that the A129 Mangusta has been selected.
Dec 2/06: Turkish Daily News reports that the competition is stalled, and will either be formally canceled or simply frozen into immobility:
“Under pressure from the end-user, procurement authorities will likely cancel the existing competition, defense officials admit. “None of the short-listed solutions fully satisfies the end-user,” said one official. “We may renew the competition, or go for an off-the-shelf purchase. That’s unknown for the moment….”
“Turkey’s top governmental panel that oversees procurement decisions will convene on Dec. 12 to discuss the attack helicopter program along with others, most notably a decision to opt for the U.S.-led Joint Strike Fighter F-35 fighter aircraft…. The attack helicopter program will be discussed, probably with no full agreement. “There may or may not be an official announcement for the cancellation of the current bidding process,” a procurement official familiar with the program said. “But in any case it would not be realistic to expect any progress, with the military deeply dissatisfied over the existing bids.” The Defense Industry Executive Committee is chaired by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and includes Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul, Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukanıt and head of the [SSM] procurement office… Murad Bayar.”
Appendix A: “I Coulda Been A Contenda…”
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Boeing (AH-64 Apache), Bell Textron (AH-1Z Viper, who won the previous Turkish competition in 2004 until the deal fell through), and Sikorsky (S-70 Strikehawk variant of the Black Hawk utility helicopter in service with the Turkish Armed Forces) were uninterested in the production arrangement described above, and could not offer such guarantees under US export control arrangements; as such, none of them bid this round by the Dec. 5, 2005 bidding deadline.
EADS Eurocopter’s Tiger and Kamov/IAI’s KA-50/KA-52 were reportedly eliminated when the Turkish government chose the two lowest-cost bidders.
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The Denel Rooivalk (trans. “Red Hawk,” or more properly “Kestrel”) is a heavier attack helicopter, with fewer integrated weapons systems than the A129. One of its key features is that it has been designed to operate in very basic surroundings for prolonged periods without sophisticated support. At present, the only Rooivalks produced since the helicopter’s inauguration in 1999 have been 12 machines for the South African Defense Forces. The Malaysian Defence Force supposedly has plans to acquire Rooivalk helicopters “when funding is available,” and South Africa’s Port Elizabeth Herald quotes analysts who believe that a win in Turkey might also tip Pakistan toward the platform.
Middle Eastern Newsline offers a further report that South Africa has outlined plans to co-produce a range of platforms in Turkey as part of a defense partnership based on Ankara’s attack helicopter program. They said South Africa has offered one of the most generous offset deals as part of its offer of the Rooivalk attack helicopter to the Turkish Army. “Under the offer, Turkey and South Africa would create a strategic defense partnership that would rapidly develop out defense industries,” a Turkish official said.
On the flip side, the Turkish Daily News reported that Eurocopter who supplies the Rooivalk’s engines and some spare parts, has said that it would not guarantee a supply line for Turkey if Ankara chose the Rooivalk.
Note that both Agusta and Denel propose moving their production lines to Turkey.
The shortlist was something of a surprise to many observers; at the time, the Turkish Daily News reports that it may even lead to friction between the government and the military. Turkey’s military, which has a large political role as the de facto guarantor of Kemal Attaturk’s secularist vision, was reportedly split between the Eurocopter Tiger and Boeing Apache. The paper further noted that Land Forces Commander Gen. Yasar Buyukanit, the most critical military figure concerning the attack helicopter program and possibly the next Chief of Staff, was not present at the meeting.
Additional Readings & Sources
- Turkish Daily News (Nov 23/05) – How not to buy weapons systems. Offers a time line of the program from 1995-2005, which certainly drives the title’s point home.
- Army Technology – A129 International Multi-Role Combat Helicopter, Italy
- Army Technology – Rooivalk Attack Helicopter, South Africa
- Turkish Daily News (Dec 2/06) – Back to square one in attack helicopter plan: Ankara preparing to scrap bidding. Via NOSINT.
- The Herald Online (July 5/06) – Turkey shortlists Rooivalk attack chopper
- Turkish Daily News (July 4/06) – Helicopter contest may divide government, military
- Middle Eastern Newsline (July 4/06) – S. Africa Offers Missile Projects To Turkey
- Turkish Press (July 4/06) – Defense Industry Executive Committee Meeting
- Houston Chronicle/AP (June 30/06) – Turkey Shortlists Firms for Helicopter
- DID (Sept 29/05) – Turkish Attack Heli Competition Stumbles Again
- Thanks to reader Keith Campbell for his added precision in the translation of “Rooivalk”
