Despite US sanctions against Turkey, Pakistan will continue to purchase T129 attack helicopters from Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), according to a high-ranking Army official.
The agreement was delayed due to some third-party approvals, who spoke at Defense IQ’s virtual International Military Helicopter Conference in 2021. However, the Turkish government is optimistic that it can clear the political obstacles and obtain the third-party certification.
Pakistan awarded Turkey a $1.5 billion contract in 2018 to buy 30 T129 helicopters. However, the agreement has been delayed by recent US sanctions against Turkey, which now needs a US export license before the helicopters can be shipped.
Pakistan had extended the deadline for TAI to supply 30 T129 attack helicopters by another 12 months earlier this year, in January.
