Somalia bolsters defence with Turkish helicopters against insurgents
Somalia has received Turkish T129 ATAK helicopters, aimed at strengthening its capabilities in combating threats from various armed groups.
Somalia has taken an important step in modernising 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 activity 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 capable of operating both day and night, with its main armament being a 20mm three-barrel cannon with 500 rounds, and additional armaments mounted on four pylons with a load capacity of approximately 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 70mm, conceptually similar to APKWS. Somalia will most likely use the latter, as they are sufficient for targeting various armed vehicles based on pickups.
