IDEF 2025: Türkiye orders Gökbey helicopters for armed forces

Türkiye has announced a major order for its domestically developed T625 Gökbey helicopter to equip its armed forces and parapublic organisations. (Turkish Aerospace)

Türkiye has ordered Turkish Aerospace (TA) T625 Gökbey medium-twin helicopters to equip its armed forces and parapublic organisations.

The Defence Industry Agency announced the buy at the International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF) 2025 in Istanbul.

“A total of 57 Gökbey helicopters will be delivered to the Turkish Gendarmerie, Police, Land and Air Forces, Coast Guard, and Naval Forces,” the Defence Industry Agency said on 24 July. The announcement did not disclose a contract value or delivery timeline.

The domestically developed Gökbey has been designed for domestic and international military, paramilitary, and civilian purposes in hot and high environments, and is equipped to carry 12 passengers.

Development under the Turkish Light Utility Helicopter (TLUH) programme began in 2010, with Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), as it was named at that time, and the Turkish Undersecretariat for Defense Industries (SSM), now known as the Defence Industry Agency, signing an initial contract in June 2013. In October 2024, the Turkish Gendarmerie became the first operator of the helicopter.

Initially named Özgün (Original), the T625 designation was revealed in December 2016, and denotes a 6 tonne maximum take-off weight, two engines, and five main rotor blades. Key design features include a five-bladed main rotor and a four-bladed tail rotor to minimise vibration and noise, as well as a 30-minute ‘run-dry' capability for the gearbox. Aselsan produces the avionics for the cockpit, which features two wide touchscreens (8×20 inches) and two smaller touchscreens (8×10 inches).