Türkiye’s indigenous Gokbey helicopters take formation flight to mark Victory Day
Three Gokbey helicopters, the country’s first indigenous general-purpose helicopters, conducted a flight on 30 Aug. 2024. (Photo via X)
Three Gokbey helicopters, the country’s first indigenous general-purpose helicopters, conducted a flight on Aug. 30, marking Victory Day.
This significant event was specially organized to honor the national day, with the participation of high-ranking officials.
The helicopters, produced by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAS) for the Gendarmerie General Command, flew in formation, demonstrating Türkiye’s advancements in aerospace technology.
Top Turkish officials participate in Gokbey formation flight
The flight took place at the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ) facilities, where three Gokbey helicopters produced for the Gendarmerie General Command took to the skies simultaneously.
Among those on board were Secretariat of Defense Industries (SSB) Chairman professor Dr. Haluk Gorgun, Gendarmerie General Commander General Ali Çardakcı, TUSAS General Manager Mehmet Demiroglu and other senior officials.
Secretariat of Defence Industries Chairman professor Dr. Gorgun shared images from the event on social media X, stating: “In a manner befitting Aug. 30 Victory Day, our Gokbey Victory Flight was successfully carried out today at our TUSAS Facilities.”
“We had the opportunity to experience this unique ceremony together with our Gendarmerie General Commander, General Alicardakci It is truly a source of pride to witness the level that Turkish engineering and defense industry has reached with the vision of our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan…”
“Undoubtedly, these achievements in the defense industry will be the assurance not only of today but also of our future and will carry our national defense to even greater heights. I wholeheartedly congratulate all our institutions, engineers, employees and teams who contributed to these achievements,” he added.
On this occasion, we once again gratefully remember our heroic martyrs and veterans, especially Gazi Mustafa Kemal, who brought us this victory.”
Türkiye’s Secretariat of Defence Industries Chairman professor Dr. Haluk Gorgun
Gokbey helicopters set to replace retired UH-1 fleet
The Gokbey helicopter program is set to deliver 20 units in its initial phase: seven for the Turkish Land Forces Command, four for the Turkish Air Force Command, three for the Turkish Gendarmerie General Command, three for the Turkish Coast Guard Command, and 3 for the General Directorate of Security.
The first delivery to the Gendarmerie General Command will include three helicopters, expected in the near future.
Gokbey helicopter specifications, capabilities
The Gokbey helicopter features a total takeoff weight of six tons, a seating capacity for 12 passengers, a maximum speed of 306 km/h (190 m/h), and a service ceiling of 20,000 feet.
It can remain airborne for 3.8+ hours, which can extend to over 5 hours with an external fuel tank, and has a maximum range of 948 kilometers.
The Gokbey is designed to fulfill the light general-purpose helicopter needs of various users, particularly security forces.
In recent years, the Turkish Armed Forces and the Gendarmerie General Command have begun retiring the U.S.-made UH-1 helicopters from service.
The Gokbey helicopter is set to replace these decommissioned UH-1 helicopters, enhancing the capabilities of Türkiye’s security forces.
Türkiye’s Gokbey indigenous helicopter program
The Indigenous Helicopter Program, launched by the decision of the Defense Industry Executive Committee (SSIK, now SSB) on June 15, 2010, aims to address the utility helicopter needs of the Turkish Armed Forces and other authorities through the development of an indigenous platform.
The program budget and schedule were determined by the SSIK decision dated Jan. 3, 2013, with the contract between the Defence Industry Agency/Undersecretary for Defense Industries and Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAS/TAI) being signed on June 26, 2013.
T625 Gokbey, the first utility helicopter developed and manufactured with Türkkiye’s indigenous capabilities, completed its inaugural flight on September 6, 2018, at 06:00 a.m.
Subsequently, on April 19, 2023, the P1 Prototype of the T625 Gokbey Helicopter underwent its first test flight, powered by the TS1400 Turboshaft Engines developed and produced by TEI with indigenous capabilities.
Necessary work for the certification of the helicopter by the EASA (European Aviation Safety Authority) and the DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) is currently underway as part of the program.
