21-Feb-2021 Source: HeliHub
In a move that is sure to raise eyebrows in various other nations, the Turkish Police Department (“Emniyet Teşkilatı”) has taken delivery of a licence-built T129 ATAK helicopter from local manufacturer Turkish Aerospace Industries. With a number of different law enforcement agencies in Turkey, it is important to note that this is the Police organisation that comes under the remit of the General Directorate of Security – the more civilian force. The same organisation that flies a fleet of 15 blue and white Bell 429s, and not the military-style Jandarma, the military style agency whose agents are supplied and trained by the Turkish Army.
The acquisition was announced on Twitter by Minister of Interior Süleyman Soylu with a message which translates as “Our police took delivery of the first ATAK helicopter. Welcome ATAK. TRUST FRIENDLY P-ATTACK THE ENEMY HelicopterFlag of Turkey. Thank you, Mr. President … We express our gratitude on behalf of the Police Department.”
Emniyetimiz ilk ATAK helikopterini teslim aldı
Hoşgeldin ATAK
DOSTA GÜVEN DÜŞMANA P-ATAK 🚁🇹🇷
Sağolasınız sayın Cumhurbaşkanım…
Emniyet Teşkilatı adına şükranlarımızı arz ediyoruz pic.twitter.com/wlpdqpaNkI— Süleyman Soylu | Maske😷 Mesafe↔️ Temizlik🧼 (@suleymansoylu) February 17, 2021
Jeremy Parkin – HeliHub.com