During the Turkish-PKK conflict, the T-129 ATAK helicopter was used heavily by the Turkish Army in cross-border and domestic operations against PKK militants. The decades-long insurgency, centered in southeastern Turkey and northern Iraq, saw the PKK fighting for Kurdish autonomy through guerrilla tactics and terrorism. The ATAK provided critical close air support, armed reconnaissance, and precision strikes in rugged mountains. Its UMTAS missiles and 20mm cannon destroyed PKK hideouts, convoys,