Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) is to display its T129 ATAK combat helicopter at the upcoming Bahrain International Air Show in what could be a precursor to a Bell AH-1 Cobra replacement programme for the Middle Eastern kingdom.
The AgustaWestland A129 Mangusta-based T129 will feature in both the static and flying displays at the event, which will take place on 16-18 January.
The Royal Bahraini Air Force received 14 AH-1E and six TAH-1P (training) Cobra helicopters from the US Army in 1994 (the kingdom's army does not operate aviation assets), and a further 12 AH-1F helicopters in 2005. Although these BGM-71 TOW anti-tank missile-armed helicopters have greatly enhanced the country's rotary-wing attack capability, many AH-1Es in particular have had to be cannibalised for spare parts.
It has previously been reported that Bahrain might seek to upgrade its current AH-1 fleet to the AH-1Z Viper standard that is in use with the US Marine Corps, with work to take place between 2016 and 2022 to keep them in service until about 2035. However, while some of the AH-1Z systems and avionics could be transferred to the AH-1E/F helicopters, the Viper is essentially a completely new platform and any modernisation programme would require more than a simple upgrade. Bahrain would most likely have to procure new-build aircraft if it wanted to field AH-1Z-standard Cobras.
With this in mind, it would appear that TAI sees an opportunity for its T129, which is of similar performance and capability to the AH-1Z. Other likely contenders for such a tender include the Boeing AH-64 Apache, the Airbus Helicopters Tiger, and perhaps the Denel Rooivalk. Having recently secured combat helicopter orders in Iraq, Russian Helicopters might also look to offer its Mil Mi-35 'Hind', Mi-28 'Havoc', and/or Kamov Ka-50/52 'Hokum' helicopters.Gareth Jennings, London - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
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