Turkish Aerospace Industries Incorporation (TAI) is said to be in the last stages of finalizing the export of ATAK and ANKA combat helicopters to Pakistan and Malaysia, among other Southeast Asia countries, following intensive rounds of talks with senior delegations conducted during various recently-held fares and events in the region.
Several of TAI’s products, including T129 ATAK combat and tactic reconnaissance helicopters, drones, and ANKA and T625 all-purpose choppers, were on display during Singapore’s Airshow, which was held between Feb. 6 and 11.
State-owned TAI has been conducting shuttle diplomacy through fares held in several countries across the region that were chiefly aimed at exporting ANKA helicopters, which is expected to make its first flight this year, along with the all-purpose T625 choppers.
TAI representatives stressed that talks with Pakistan over sealing the deal on the purchase of ATAK helicopters are ongoing, noting that similar talks are being held with Malaysia and Indonesia.
Sources in TAI pointed that the ongoing talks with Malaysia in particular reached an advanced stage, emphasizing that positive developments in this regard were recorded during similar talks with Singapore over the possible purchase of ATAK helicopters and ANKA’s T625 choppers.
Regionally, TAI is also in the middle of talks with the Philippines and Thailand with regards to a possible deal over the sale of T129 ATAK helicopters.
TAI ranks among the top hundred global players in aerospace and defense.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which has a collective population of 600 million and a combined GDP that makes it the world’s sixth biggest economy, is among the new markets where Turkey is planning to promote its combat helicopters.
