On June 5, 2025, Turkish Aerospace Industries delivered three T129 ATAK attack helicopters to the Somali Armed Forces, marking a milestone in Ankara–Mogadishu defence cooperation. The aircraft are the first combat helicopters ever fielded by Somalia and arrive via a new defence pact that has made Türkiye the Horn nation’s principal security partner since 2017.
Footage shared on social media shows the gunships rolling off Turkish A400M transports at Mogadishu’s Aden Adde airport, their 20 mm cannons and rocket pods gleaming in the tropical sun. Their deployment comes as al-Shabab intensifies attacks and Red Sea rivalries escalate, making close-air-support assets urgently critical to Somalia’s counter-terror fight.
The T129 ATAK is an advanced multi-role attack helicopter designed for precision strike missions, armed reconnaissance, and close air support. It is based on the Agusta A129 Mangusta platform but features Turkish-developed avionics, mission software, and weapons systems tailored to Türkiye’s operational requirements. The T129 is powered by two LHTEC CTS800-4A engines and equipped with a 20mm three-barrel rotary cannon, guided missiles such as the Roketsan UMTAS anti-tank missile, and advanced electronic warfare systems. Its agility and versatility make it suitable for asymmetric warfare, which aligns with Somalia’s current counterinsurgency needs.