The T129 ATAK is designed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) in collaboration with AgustaWestland and participated in a fly-past ceremony on March 23 Pakistan Day parade.
In addition to the purchase of attack helicopters, Pakistan also has plans to procure vessels from Turkey for the Pakistan Navy.
As of 2016, in a joint communiqué, Pakistan and Turkey plan to strengthen their close ties into a 'strategic partnership'.
Pakistan and Turkey enjoy close cultural, historical and military relations which are now expanding into deepening economic relations as both countries seek to develop their economies.
Turkey supports Pakistan's position of holding a plebiscite under the UN to resolve the Kashmir issue. Turkey also supports Pakistan's membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group.
Turkey established diplomatic relations soon after the independence of Pakistan in 1947 and bilateral relations became increasingly close owing to cultural, religious and geopolitical links between the two countries.
Turkey and Pakistan are founding members of the Economic Cooperation Organization and part of the Developing 8 Countries (D-8) organization. The two countries are negotiating the Turkey-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement.
Pakistan and Turkey have maintained long-standing military ties with Turkey also providing training to Pakistani air force officers in upgrading its F-16 fleet.
On 2 April 1954, Pakistan and Turkey signed a treaty of friendship and cooperation. Both countries, valued as important states in their regions, joined the U.S.-led Central Treaty Organization (CENTO) aimed to bolster military and strategic cooperation and counter the spread of communism and Soviet influence in the region.
Turkey is also currently a major arms seller to Pakistan. Turkey previously purchased arms from Pakistan and continues to purchase minor aerial weapons and components from Pakistan.
In 2003 both countries established a bilateral dialogue group which is the highest institutional mechanism steering the defense cooperation. Its mandate is to suggest policies and action plans for collaboration between the two countries in the defense sector.
At the last year’s meeting of the group, Turkey had gifted 34 T-37 aircraft and spares to Pakistan. Turkey is, meanwhile, buying MFI-17 Super Mushshak aircraft from Pakistan besides upgrading three Pakistani submarines and jointly building the fleet tanker.
Several other projects are also under way. Troops from the two countries have also held joint drills.
Last year Turkish Air Force aerobatic team Solo Turk participated in an air show in Islamabad to mark Pakistan's 70th Independence Day, while Mehtar band of Turkish Army performed at Pakistan National Day parade in Islamabad in 2017.
Pakistan has also expressed interest in Turkey’s first indigenously-designed, third generation main battle tank (MBT) Altay.
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Islamabad, May 29, IRNA - Pakistan and Turkey enjoy close cooperation in different fields including defense sector and recently Pakistan has signed an agreement with Turkey to purchase 30, T129 ATAK attack helicopters.
