Aviation News – Turkey has delivered its first domestically developed T625 Gökbey helicopter to the Turkish Army Aviation Command, marking a key milestone in national aerospace capability and fleet modernization.
On 30 April 2026, Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ) confirmed the handover of the first Gökbey general purpose helicopter to the Türk Kara Havacılık Komutanlığı, the aviation arm of the Turkish Land Forces. The aircraft will replace the ageing AB205/UH-1H Huey helicopters, which have served for decades. The first unit was assigned to the 3rd Army Aviation Regiment, 1st Battalion, 2nd Company, based in İzmir-Gaziemir. The Turkish Land Forces are expected to receive an initial batch of 15 helicopters as part of the program.
The T625 Gökbey is a twin-engine, multi-role utility helicopter designed for transport, search and rescue, and general military missions. Built with modern avionics and improved payload capacity, it offers enhanced performance in hot-and-high conditions compared to legacy platforms. Its introduction is expected to improve operational flexibility, mission readiness, and safety for Turkish Army aviation units.
