TAI Delivers First T625 Gökbey Helicopter to Turkish Land Forces

On April 30, 2026, Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI/TUSAŞ) achieved a major milestone by delivering the first T625 Gökbey multirole utility helicopters to the Turkish Land Forces Command. According to reporting by Türkiye Today, this marks the sixth overall delivery of the indigenous rotorcraft, but it is the first to officially enter the Army’s inventory. The previous five units were inducted by the Gendarmerie General Command.

The handover represents a significant step in Türkiye’s ongoing push for defense self-sufficiency. The Gökbey program aims to supply a total of 83 helicopters across various military, security, and civilian agencies, replacing older foreign platforms and bolstering domestic aerospace manufacturing capabilities.

We note that the Turkish Land Forces operate in highly demanding environments, requiring aviation platforms capable of performing in extreme climates and high-altitude mountainous terrain. The Gökbey was specifically designed from the ground up to meet these “hot and high” operational requirements.

Program Background and Technical Specifications

Origins of the T625 Gökbey

The Indigenous Helicopter Program was initiated in 2013 following a contract between the Turkish Undersecretariat for Defence Industries (now the SSB) and TAI. The primary objective was to develop a 6-ton class multi-role helicopter for land operations. As detailed by Türkiye Today, the aircraft, designed entirely with domestic engineering, conducted its maiden flight on September 6, 2018. The first-ever Gökbey was subsequently delivered to the Gendarmerie General Command on October 29, 2024, coinciding with the 101st anniversary of the Turkish Republic.

Avionics and Multi-Role Capabilities

The T625 is a twin-engine, medium-class utility helicopter designed for maximum operational versatility. Its spacious cabin allows for rapid reconfiguration to support a wide array of mission profiles, including troop transport, cargo delivery, air ambulance services, search and rescue (SAR), VIP transport, and logistical support.

According to the source material, the helicopter features 34 state-of-the-art indigenous avionics systems developed by the Turkish defense firm ASELSAN. These systems include a modern glass cockpit equipped with wide touchscreen Integrated Mission Displays, advanced navigation systems, and a four-axis dual redundant automatic flight control system. Furthermore, critical dynamic components, such as the transmission, rotor, and landing gear, are produced domestically by Turkish firms like Alp Aviation.

Engine Integration and Future Procurement

Transitioning to Domestic Powerplants

Currently, the initial production models of the Gökbey are powered by foreign-made LHTEC CTS800 engines. These were originally chosen for their commonality with Türkiye’s T129 ATAK attack helicopters. However, a strategic transition to domestic power is actively underway to eliminate foreign dependency.

TUSAŞ Engine Industries (TEI) has developed the indigenous TEI-TS1400 turboshaft engine for the platform. A Gökbey prototype successfully completed its first test flight powered by the TS1400 engines on April 19, 2023. Integrating this domestic engine is projected to increase the platform’s localization rate from over 70 percent to over 80 percent.

Expanding the Fleet

Serial production of the Gökbey is currently ongoing. In July 2025, the Presidency of Defense Industries signed a contract for 57 additional aircraft, which are slated to be powered by the indigenous TS1400 engines. The total planned fleet of 83 helicopters will be distributed among the Land Forces, Air Force, Gendarmerie, Coast Guard, General Directorate of Security, and the Ministry of Health.

Official Reactions to the Delivery

Defense officials highlighted the strategic importance of the April 2026 delivery to the Land Forces Command, emphasizing the maturation of the domestic aerospace sector.

Prof. Dr. Haluk Görgün, President of Defence Industries, described the handover as a “defining threshold in Türkiye’s national aviation journey,” according to Türkiye Today.

Görgün further noted that the domestic development of critical subsystems serves as a concrete indicator of the engineering level achieved by the Turkish defense industry.

TUSAŞ General Manager Dr. Mehmet Demiroğlu expressed pride in the delivery, calling the introduction of the indigenously developed helicopter into the Army’s fleet a “landmark achievement.”

AirPro News analysis

The delivery of the Gökbey to the Turkish Land Forces underscores a broader, accelerating trend in Turkish defense procurement: the systematic replacement of aging, foreign-sourced utility helicopters with domestically produced alternatives. By securing a July 2025 contract for 57 additional units powered by the indigenous TS1400 engine, Türkiye is effectively insulating its rotary-wing supply chain from potential foreign export controls and geopolitical shifts. We view this milestone not just as a tactical capability upgrade for the Army, but as a critical validation of TAI and TEI’s long-term industrial strategy to achieve full sovereignty over their aerospace manufacturing base.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was the first Gökbey delivered to the Turkish Army?
The first T625 Gökbey was delivered to the Turkish Land Forces Command on April 30, 2026. It was the sixth Gökbey delivered overall.

What engine does the T625 Gökbey use?
Initial production models utilize the foreign-made LHTEC CTS800 engine. Future models, including a batch of 57 ordered in July 2025, will be powered by the domestically produced TEI-TS1400 turboshaft engine.

How many Gökbey helicopters are planned for production?
A total of 83 Gökbey helicopters are currently planned for production and distribution across various Turkish military, security, and civilian agencies.

Sources

• Türkiye Today