This article summarizes reporting by Daily Sabah.

Türkiye and Saudi Arabia Sign Historic Deal for Joint Gökbey Helicopters Production

In a significant move for regional defense cooperation, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly produce the T625 Gökbey multirole helicopter within the Kingdom. The agreement was finalized on February 10, 2026, during the World Defense Show (WDS) in Riyadh, marking the first international Manufacturing deal for Türkiye’s indigenous utility helicopter.

According to reporting by Daily Sabah, the deal involves Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) and Saudi counterparts, including the Ministry of Investment and the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI). The Partnerships aims to establish a production line in Saudi Arabia that will serve both military and civilian sectors, aligning with the Kingdom’s broader efforts to localize defense manufacturing.

Agreement Details and Scope

The MoU outlines a comprehensive framework for Technology transfer and industrial collaboration. As reported by Defense Here, the agreement was signed by Gökhan Uçar, Deputy Head of the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB) and TAI Board Member, alongside Saudi officials. The deal is not merely a purchase agreement but a strategic industrial partnership designed to enhance Saudi Arabia’s domestic aerospace capabilities.

Key elements of the agreement include:

• Local Production: The T625 Gökbey will be manufactured in Saudi Arabia, with TAI partnering with a local manufacturer once national demand is consolidated.
• Dual-Use Application: The production line will cater to various configurations, including military transport, VIP transport, air ambulance, and search and rescue (SAR) operations.
• Export Potential: The Saudi-based production line may eventually serve as a hub for exports to neighboring countries in the region.

“The agreement covers the production of the Turkish indigenous Gökbey multirole helicopter… [and] involves the transfer of technology and industrial know-how.”

, Summary of reporting by Daily Sabah

The T625 Gökbey: Capabilities and Specs

The T625 Gökbey is a 6-ton class, twin-engine light utility helicopter designed and built by TAI. It is Türkiye’s first indigenous multirole helicopter, engineered to operate effectively in challenging environments. This makes it particularly well-suited for Saudi Arabia’s “hot and high” conditions, which often degrade the performance of standard rotorcraft.

Based on technical data summarized from the World Defense Show reports, the aircraft features:

• Capacity: 12 passengers plus 2 crew members.
• Performance: A maximum speed of approximately 306 km/h (165 knots) and a range of roughly 740 km (400 nautical miles).
• Endurance: Capable of staying airborne for over 3.8 hours.
• Avionics: A modern glass cockpit with wide-screen displays and advanced navigation systems.

While initial models are powered by LHTEC CTS800 engines, Türkiye is actively transitioning to its indigenous TEI-TS1400 engine to ensure full export independence and immunity from foreign restrictions.

Strategic Alignment with Vision 2030

This partnership is a direct reflection of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative, which mandates the localization of 50% of the Kingdom’s defense spending by the end of the decade. By securing the rights to manufacture the Gökbey locally, Riyadh reduces its reliance on traditional Western suppliers and builds a skilled industrial workforce.

For Türkiye, the deal represents a major export milestone. Following the global success of its drone platforms like the Bayraktar TB2 and Akıncı, the Gökbey agreement validates the commercial viability of its manned aviation sector. TAI General Manager Mehmet Demiroğlu previously noted that negotiations had been ongoing, with Saudi interest extending specifically to offshore configurations for the oil and gas sector.

AirPro News Analysis

The decision to manufacture the Gökbey in Saudi Arabia signals a deepening of the Ankara-Riyadh defense axis. Historically, Gulf nations have relied heavily on American and European rotorcraft. This shift towards Turkish platforms suggests a desire for more flexible technology transfer terms and a diversification of supply chains.

Furthermore, the inclusion of technology transfer is critical. Unlike simple off-the-shelf purchases, this deal embeds Turkish aerospace engineering into the Saudi industrial base. If successful, the Saudi production line could become a secondary supply node for the Gökbey, potentially mitigating production backlogs in Türkiye as global demand for affordable, non-ITAR-restricted utility helicopters grows.

Sources

Sources: Daily Sabah, Defense Here, Turkish Minute, TurDef