"Russian Gunships To The Rescue
December 15, 2008: Needing more attack helicopters right away, Turkey will buy 32 Russian Mi-28s, at a cost of about $31 million each. Longer term, Turkey has a deal with Italian firm AgustaWestland, to build fifty or more modified versions of the A129 Mangusta in Turkey (and calling it the T129.) The first of these won't be available until 2013, so the Mi-28s will serve in the meantime. Currently, only seven of the twelve AH-1 Cobra attack helicopters the Turkish Army has are available for service, and the Turks desperately need more gunships for their operations against rebel Kurds on both sides of the Iraqi border."
More:Procurement: Russian Gunships To The Rescue
