The U.S. has granted Turkey a license to export engines mounted on its T129 Tactical Reconnaissance and Attack Helicopter (ATAK) that it wants to export to the Philippines.
“Washington had issued the required paperwork regarding the sale of an initially designated number of six attack helicopters,” Serdar Demir, marketing and communications director of Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), was quoted as saying by Daily Sabah.
The engine in question is the LHTEC T800-4A made by a joint venture between American firm Honeywell and British company Rolls-Royce. The engine was sold initially to power the T129 twin-engine helicopter for Turkey’s domestic consumption. For export to a third country, U.S. permit is required if American military grade content exceeds 10%.
The export of the ATAK helicopter to the Philippines should open the door for similar exports to Pakistan. The TAI also has a $1.5 billion contract with Pakistan that includes the sale of 30 T129 helicopters that are currently awaiting U.S. permission to export the engine.