Newsletters
The Turkish Gendarmerie Aviation Command has added the 14th T129 ATAK helicopter to its inventory, manufactured by TAI and carrying the tail number "J-1924 Hurkus."
The helicopter is equipped with the Aselsan ASELFLIR-410 system, marking a significant advancement in domestic defense technology.
The Gendarmerie General Command announced: "Our Gendarmerie Aviation Command continues to add strength to its power with the 14th ATAK helicopter, tail number 'J-1924 Hurkus,' which is domestically and nationally produced and newly added to our inventory."
The T129 ATAK carries the ASELFLIR-410 camera system developed by Aselsan, which has drawn particular attention.
The ASELFLIR-410 system provides internationally used ATAK helicopters with high-performance target detection and image processing capabilities.
ASELFLIR-410 provides ATAK helicopters with superior target detection capacity while offering reliable image processing technology, even in challenging conditions.
This system both increases defense capability and maximizes operational effectiveness.
The helicopter features the first domestic 20mm nose cannon used by Turkish security forces. The cannon was developed and produced by TR Mechatronic, a joint venture between TAI and Sarsilmaz.
Türkiye has thus domesticated and put into use another weapon system that was recently subject to an embargo. The T129 ATAK's first export with the domestic nose cannon was also completed recently.
The T129 ATAK can be equipped with 500 rounds of 20mm cannon ammunition, 16 Roketsan CIRIT missiles, 8 L-UMTAS or UMTAS missiles, 8 Stinger missiles, or 76 rounds of 70mm rockets.
The helicopter draws power from two LHTEC-CTS800-4A turboshaft engines, each producing 1,373 shaft horsepower. The aircraft can reach a maximum speed of 281 kilometers/hour, has a flight endurance of 3 hours, a range of 537 kilometers, and a service ceiling of 15,000 feet.
Under the scope of the ATAK Program, a total of 76 T129 ATAK helicopters—59 firm and 17 optional—are scheduled for delivery to the Turkish Land Forces Command, while 27 helicopters—24 firm and 3 optional—will be delivered to the Ministry of Interior.
Furthermore, the deliveries of six T129 ATAK helicopters each to the Philippine Air Force and the Nigerian Air Force have been successfully completed.
The helicopter represents a significant upgrade from previous models, replacing the ASELFLIR-300T with the ASELFLIR-410 system. This change provides the helicopter with a much lighter and more modern EO/IR camera for operational deployment.
1 min read
In July 2025, the Gendarmerie General Command made significant additions to its inventory from Türkiye's leading defense companies, TAI and Baykar.
On July 3, Thursday, the Gendarmerie Aviation Command announced it had added the 14th T129 ATAK helicopter with tail number "J-1924 Hurkus" to its inventory.
On July 4, it was announced that the Gendarmerie General Command's first Bayraktar Akinci UCAV System, Ground Systems, and Weapon Systems acceptance was successfully completed at the Baykar Corlu Flight Training and Test Center.
The Gendarmerie General Command, which acquired its first Bayraktar Akinci UCAV system, has included three Akinci units within the system in its inventory.
The Gendarmerie, which actively uses Bayraktar TB2 UCAV systems, is expected to further increase its capabilities with the new Akinci UCAV systems.
2 min read
