Turkey’s indigenous helicopter to be equipped with locally-made missiles

ANKARA

Turkey’s new locally-built advanced attack and tactical reconnaissance helicopter ATAK will be equipped with UMTAS, a long range air-to-surface anti-tank missile developed by Turkey’s ROKETSAN, state-run Anadolu Agency reported on Nov. 23. 

Test firing has already commenced, according to the report.

The UMTAS was originally designed to engage tanks and heavily armored vehicles, but it can be integrated to various platforms from helicopters to drones. 

The L-UMTAS and UMTAS versions have now been integrated and fired from the ATAK helicopters. As a result, the ATAK, which became a part of the Turkish Armed Forces’ (TSK) inventory in June 2014, will be able to hit distant targets detected via laser thanks to the UMTAS system. 

The UMTAS-integrated ATAK helicopters will mainly be used for operations against terror organizations, Anadolu Agency reported. 

There are currently 16 ATAK helicopters in the TSK inventory and more are expected to be added. The aim is to increase this up to 35 by the end of 2017. 

Designed in two types with close air support and multi-task mission features, ATAK can undertake high-altitude missions with heavy artillery.