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Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) signed a strategic contract with the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB) for the procurement of 57 Gokbey general-purpose helicopters during the IDEF 2025 International Defense Industry Fair.
TAI announced that deliveries of the Gokbey helicopters will begin in 2028, with each aircraft powered by the domestically developed TEI-TS1400 turboshaft engine produced by TUSAS Engine Industries (TEI).
The new agreement brings the total number of Gokbey helicopters under contract to 83 units, according to TAI General Manager Demiroglu, who spoke at the Anadolu Agency (AA) Technology Desk on July 25 during IDEF 2025.
"Until yesterday, we had contracts for a total of 26 Gokbey helicopters," Demiroglu said.
"Three of these were ambulance helicopters for the Ministry of Health and will be delivered in the first half of next year. Three were delivered to the gendarmerie. Twenty will be delivered to our other forces. Yesterday, this number increased by 57 more. The total has risen to 83," he noted.
TAI announced the collaboration through its social media account, stating, "Our trace in the sky is growing with 57 Gokbey helicopters. We signed a strategic production contract with our Defense Industries Presidency for the new production of 57 units of the T625 Gokbey General Purpose Helicopter developed with national capabilities."
The Gokbey helicopters will be equipped with the domestically produced TEI-TS1400 engine, marking a significant step in Türkiye's aviation independence efforts.
"Our Gokbey helicopters will be strengthened with our national engine TEI-TS1400 and will begin to be delivered as of 2028," Demiroglu stated. "While opening a new page in our aviation localization journey, we continue with determination to meet our country's needs with national solutions."
Demiroglu later noted the importance of domestic engine production, comparing it to transmission capabilities. "Being able to make engines is like being able to make transmissions in the same helicopter. Maybe even beyond that. Because you prove yourself both as a country and as a company," he said.
TAI General Manager Demiroglu also announced that the company expects to sign export contracts for the Gokbey helicopter within one to three months.
"The engine has reached the stage where it can be installed on the helicopter and tested," Demiroglu said.
"Let's do these tests so that we can start deliveries with the domestic engine by the end of 2027. We can still deliver with the current engine if anyone wants. But the vast majority of the 57 helicopters will have domestic engines. We targeted this as the end of 2027 and the beginning of 2028," he added.
The Gokbey helicopter has a total takeoff weight of 6 tons and a passenger capacity of 12 people. It can reach a maximum speed of 306 kilometers/hour (0.052 miles/second) and remain airborne for more than 3.8 hours.
The versatile helicopter can perform a wide range of missions, including transport, VIP operations, cargo delivery, air ambulance services, search and rescue operations, and offshore transport missions.
"Starting from next year, we will continue these deliveries with an increasing number, one per month," Demiroglu said. "Initially, we delivered three helicopters to our gendarmerie. It was a great source of pride for us. The fourth one is waiting, ready for delivery. We plan to deliver three more this year."
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