Philippine Defense Minister Delfin Lorenzana announced that the Philippine Air Force will choose the TAI T129 ATAK to meet its attack helicopter needs.
Defense Minister Lorenzana announced in a press statement today that a total of 16 attack and general-purpose helicopters will be purchased next year to meet the Philippine Air Force's needs. He stated that American-made Sikorsky Black Hawk helicopters were chosen as general-purpose helicopters, and that the agreement with Canada for attack helicopters would be cancelled, with the Philippine Air Force opting instead for the Turkish T129 ATAK attack helicopter. Minister Lorenzana did not provide a specific date for when the purchase agreements would be signed.
