Somalia boosts defense with Turkish T129 ATAK helicopters
Somalia has received Turkish T129 ATAK helicopters, aiming to strengthen its capabilities in combating threats from various armed groups.
Somalia has taken an important step in modernizing its armed forces by acquiring T129 ATAK attack helicopters from Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI). According to "Army Recognition," this move aims to enhance the operational capabilities of the Somali Air Force in the face of ongoing security threats, particularly from the Harakat al-Shabaab al-Mujahideen group, affiliated with Al-Qaeda.
Currently, the federal authorities of the Republic of Somalia are investing in more effective combat measures to secure their territory and improve operations against rebel and terrorist groups. This is another step in Turkey's involvement in the region, following the establishment of a military base in Mogadishu and the supply of Akinci drones.
Turkish aircraft with Italian origins
The T129 ATAK is a two-seat attack helicopter designed for air support, reconnaissance, and precision strikes, evolving from the Italian A129 Mangusta.
The modifications include avionics, fuselage, and rotors, improving manoeuvrability and operational capabilities in difficult conditions. The helicopter is also capable of operating both day and night, with its main armament being a 20 mm three-barrel cannon with 500 rounds. Additional armaments are mounted on four pylons with a load capacity of roughly 1,180 kilograms.
Guided armaments of Turkish production
Available options include UMTAS anti-tank guided missiles and laser-guided Crit rockets with a calibre of 70 mm, conceptually similar to APKWS. Somalia will most likely use the latter, as they are sufficient for targeting various armed vehicles based on pickups.
