New Era for Turkish Forces with First Indigenous Gökbey Helicopter Delivery

According to information published by the Turkish government on October 29, 2024, Türkiye has made the first delivery of its indigenously developed Gökbey helicopter to meet the operational needs of the Gendarmerie General Command. Under the serial production contract, an additional two Gökbey helicopters are expected to be delivered by the end of the year.

A total of 20 Gökbey helicopters are planned for phased delivery across multiple Turkish defense branches by 2026. Specifically, seven will go to the Turkish Land Forces Command, four to the Turkish Air Force, three each to the Gendarmerie General Command, General Directorate of Security, and the Turkish Coast Guard Command.

In addition to these orders, the Turkish Naval Forces Command anticipates an additional 57 Gökbey helicopters, with plans underway to commence serial production to fulfill their requirements.

Healthcare services are also set to benefit, with specially configured Gökbey helicopters being produced as medical air ambulances for the Ministry of Health, scheduled for delivery starting early 2026.

The T625 Gökbey, developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), is Turkey’s first domestically designed and manufactured multirole utility helicopter. Officially launched in 2013, Gökbey is engineered for various missions, including search and rescue, medical evacuation, VIP transport, and offshore operations. Powered initially by the CTS800 turboshaft engines from Honeywell-Rolls Royce’s Light Helicopter Turbine Engine Company, recent models feature Turkey’s indigenous TS1400 engines.

The development of an indigenous utility helicopter, like Türkiye’s Gökbey, is strategically significant for the Turkish Armed Forces and aligns with the country’s broader defense autonomy goals. By producing the Gökbey helicopter domestically, Türkiye can reduce its reliance on foreign suppliers, which is critical in ensuring uninterrupted operations, especially during international embargoes or strained diplomatic relations. This self-reliance strengthens Türkiye’s defense posture by maintaining control over its supply chains and reducing operational vulnerabilities associated with imported technology.

The Gökbey also addresses specific tactical needs of the Turkish Armed Forces, particularly in replacing aging UH-1 helicopters. It is designed to perform optimally in Türkiye’s diverse geographic and climatic conditions, with a service ceiling that allows it to operate at high altitudes and in extreme weather, enhancing mission capabilities across various roles, including troop transport, medical evacuation, and search and rescue.