Turkish Aerospace (TUSAŞ) has successfully conducted the first ground launch of its ŞİMŞEK-K unmanned aerial vehicle using a rocket-assisted take-off system, culminating in a live warhead strike on a ground target.

The test, announced by the Defence Industry Agency of Türkiye (SSB) on August 22, 2025, and detailed in an August 25 press release, confirms the platform’s transition from a pure training target into a dual-role tactical strike asset. The integration of a rocket-assisted take-off (RATO) system eliminates the drone’s previous reliance on catapult infrastructure or aerial carrier launches from larger platforms such as the Anka Unmanned Aerial Vehicle.

Technical specifications and operational capabilities

The ŞİMŞEK-K measures 2.4 meters in length with a 1.5-meter wingspan and a maximum take-off weight of 83 kilograms. It can carry a payload of up to 18 kilograms, which now includes a live warhead for one-way strike missions.

The drone operates at a maximum speed of Mach 0.63 and can reach altitudes up to 25,000 feet. Powered by a 35-liter fuel capacity, the system offers an endurance exceeding 45 minutes. It maintains a datalink range of 150 kilometers and features a total operational range of more than 500 kilometers.

Strategic shift in Turkish unmanned systems

The successful RATO launch and strike test marks a deliberate shift in how Turkish defense contractors are utilizing existing airframes. SSB President Haluk Görgün highlighted the strategic value of the test.

“Our defense industry has added another one to its critical capabilities. This step is a concrete indicator of technologies developed entirely with national resources, increasing our operational flexibility and strengthening our deterrence.”

TUSAŞ CEO Mehmet Demiroğlu echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the engineering progress required to integrate the RATO system.

“We have left behind another milestone in our defense industry. ŞİMŞEK K, produced with national resources, took off from the ground for the first time with a rocket-assisted take-off system (RATO). This new capability gained by ŞİMŞEK K clearly reveals the level reached by our national engineering.”

The ŞİMŞEK family has evolved significantly since the original target drone’s maiden flight on August 4, 2012. The ŞİMŞEK-K variant was introduced to the public in July 2025 at the IDEF exhibition in Istanbul. TUSAŞ continues to expand its kamikaze UAV portfolio and is currently developing a dedicated jet-powered one-way strike UAV named AYAZ, which is scheduled to be unveiled at the SAHA EXPO in May 2026.

AirPro News analysis

We view the integration of RATO capabilities into the ŞİMŞEK-K as a highly practical evolution of an existing airframe. By removing the need for bulky catapult infrastructure or a larger carrier aircraft like the Anka, TUSAŞ has created a rapidly deployable asset suitable for asymmetric warfare environments. Converting legacy target drones into loitering munitions or one-way strike platforms is a growing industry trend, allowing manufacturers to leverage proven aerodynamics and existing production lines to field tactical weapons quickly and cost-effectively.

Sources: Turkish Aerospace

The Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) have initiated a procurement program to acquire approximately 150 next-generation Stage-III advanced jet trainers, issuing a Request for Information (RFI) to global and domestic aerospace manufacturers in mid-August 2026. The estimated ₹15,000 crore project aims to replace the IAF’s aging fleet of BAE Systems Hawk Mk-132 aircraft and modernize the final training pipeline for pilots transitioning to 4.5 and fifth-generation combat platforms.

According to reporting by The New Indian Express, vendors have until October 5, 2026, to submit their responses to the RFI. The MoD is targeting December 2027 for the issuance of a formal Request for Proposal (RFP). The procurement falls under India’s Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 “Buy (Indian) or better” category, which mandates significant domestic manufacturing, technology transfer, and supply chain integration.

Replacing the Hawk Mk-132 fleet

The IAF currently relies on the BAE Systems Hawk Mk-132 for Stage-III training, a platform that entered Indian service in February 2008. Defence Standard reports that the global production line for the Hawk has closed, preventing the IAF from acquiring additional airframes of the same type to meet its training requirements.

The urgency of the procurement is underscored by current operational shortfalls. Aerospace Global News notes that the IAF is operating with 29 fighter squadrons against an authorized strength of 42.5. Streamlining the pilot training pipeline is viewed as a critical step in getting aviators into operational squadrons more rapidly.

The RFI outlines stringent technical requirements for the new trainers. The IAF mandates advanced capabilities including fly-by-wire flight controls, embedded virtual avionics, electronic warfare (EW) simulation, and Live-Virtual-Constructive (LVC) training systems. These features are designed to prepare trainees for the sensor-heavy environments of modern combat aircraft, such as the Dassault Rafale, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Tejas, and the future Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).

Potential contenders and industrial requirements

While the IAF has not officially shortlisted any platforms during this preliminary market-sounding phase, defense analysts have identified several likely contenders. These include the HAL HLFT-42, the Boeing-Saab T-7A Red Hawk, the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) T-50 Golden Eagle, and the Leonardo M-346 Master.

International manufacturers are already signaling interest in the program. In a statement provided to the Halldale Group, a Leonardo spokesperson confirmed the company is “closely assessing the Indian Air Force advanced trainer fleet modernisation plan and national industrial collaboration opportunities.”

The RFI stipulates a strict delivery timeline. According to The New Indian Express, the selected vendor must complete the delivery of all 150 aircraft within 60 months of the contract signature. The first new trainer aircraft are projected to reach IAF flying training bases in the mid-2030s.

AirPro News analysis

We view the IAF’s insistence on the “Buy (Indian) or better” category as the defining hurdle for foreign original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in this competition. Platforms like the T-7A Red Hawk or the M-346 Master offer the LVC and embedded training capabilities the IAF requires, but winning the ₹15,000 crore contract will depend entirely on a vendor’s willingness to transfer technology and establish a deep manufacturing footprint within India. HAL’s indigenous HLFT-42 concept holds a natural home-field advantage under the current defense procurement framework, though it remains in the developmental stage compared to the proven, off-the-shelf alternatives from Boeing, KAI, and Leonardo.

Sources: The New Indian Express

Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ) is accelerating the deployment of its T625 GÖKBEY utility helicopter, transitioning from initial deliveries to the General Command of the Gendarmerie into broader service with the Turkish Land Forces Command and international partners.

Following the delivery of the fourth GÖKBEY to the Gendarmerie on August 25, 2025, the manufacturer has expanded the platform’s operational footprint. A second production batch of 57 airframes, ordered in July 2025, is now feeding deliveries to multiple branches of the Turkish security apparatus, supporting the national objective of a fully independent defense industry.

Domestic fleet expansion

The GÖKBEY program, initiated on June 26, 2013, under a contract with the Presidency of Defence Industries (SSB), reached a steady production cadence throughout 2024 and 2025. The General Command of the Gendarmerie received its first unit on October 29, 2024, followed by subsequent deliveries in December 2024, January 14, 2025, and August 25, 2025.

In a press release marking the fourth delivery, Turkish Aerospace Industries highlighted the strategic intent behind the program:

Designed and manufactured with Turkish Aerospace’s national engineering capabilities, GÖKBEY continues to contribute to the vision of a fully independent defense industry by enhancing the operational power of our security forces.

The platform’s user base expanded on April 30, 2026, when the Turkish Land Forces Command received its first T625 GÖKBEY. According to reporting by Janes, this delivery is part of a larger 57-unit order intended for the national armed forces, gendarmerie, and coast guard. Turkish Aerospace Industries plans to deliver more than 20 helicopters to various domestic institutions by the end of 2026.

Civilian and parapublic applications are also advancing. Helis.com reported on April 6, 2026, that an air ambulance variant is nearing service entry. The Turkish Ministry of Health is expected to receive three of these specialized helicopters by late 2026.

Technical specifications and export agreements

The T625 GÖKBEY is a multi-role platform with a maximum take-off weight of 6,050 kilograms and a capacity for 12 passengers. A critical milestone for the program occurred on April 19, 2023, when the helicopter completed its first test flight powered by the domestically produced TEI-TS1400 turboshaft engine, developed by TUSAŞ Engine Industries (TEI).

The integration of a domestic powerplant has facilitated international marketing efforts. On February 10, 2026, Turkey and Saudi Arabia signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly produce the GÖKBEY helicopter in Saudi Arabia. Turkish Minute reported that this agreement marks the first major international industrial partnership for the platform.

AirPro News analysis

We view the T625 GÖKBEY program as a cornerstone of Türkiye’s strategy to eliminate reliance on foreign aerospace suppliers. The successful integration of the TEI-TS1400 engine is the most consequential technical achievement of the program. By removing foreign-sourced critical components, Turkish Aerospace Industries bypasses potential export controls and end-user restrictions that have historically complicated defense sales. The joint production memorandum with Saudi Arabia demonstrates the immediate commercial viability of this strategy, positioning the GÖKBEY as a competitive alternative in the global medium-utility helicopter market.

Sources: Turkish Aerospace Industries