GÖKBEY (T625) Deliveries Explained: How Many, and Which Operators?

GÖKBEY is a 6-tonne-class multi-role helicopter designed for both civil and military missions. It carries two pilots and up to 12 personnel and can perform troop/cargo transport, search and rescue, medical evacuation (MEDEVAC), reconnaissance and VIP transport.

Local content already exceeds 70 percent and is expected to surpass 80 percent once the indigenous TS1400 engine is integrated. GÖKBEY is positioned as a cornerstone of Türkiye’s domestic rotorcraft ecosystem.

The Gendarmerie General Command was the first operator. The Turkish Land Forces Command took the type into service from 30 April 2026. Deliveries are planned for the Air Force, the National Police, the Coast Guard and the Navy. (The Gendarmerie, Police and Coast Guard fall under the Interior Ministry’s expanded order.)

GÖKBEY first flew on 6 September 2018. After test and certification work, serial production began. The first production aircraft was delivered to the Gendarmerie on 29 October 2024 — the 101st anniversary of the Republic — marking the effective start of serial production and in-service status.

According to publicly announced deliveries, the Gendarmerie has received 4 aircraft (29 October 2024, 11 December 2024, 10 January 2025 and a subsequent delivery). The first Land Forces aircraft was handed over on 30 April 2026, and TUSAŞ stated the second Land Forces helicopter would follow in June 2026, bringing the announced total to six.

The most recent announced delivery is the first Land Forces aircraft on 30 April 2026, with a second due in June 2026. The 2026 target is 20 helicopters across five institutions. The expanded program reaches 83 helicopters (15 for the Land Forces and 42 for the Interior Ministry). A separate batch of 57 aircraft for the Navy, powered by the indigenous TS1400 engine, is planned for delivery between 2028 and 2031. TUSAŞ aims to raise output to four helicopters per month.

Current GÖKBEY deliveries use the LHTEC CTS800-4N turboshaft, the same family fitted to the T129 ATAK. Türkiye’s goal is to integrate the indigenous TS1400 turboshaft developed by TEI. TS1400 installation on serial aircraft is planned from around 2027, with a 57-aircraft indigenous-engine batch delivered between 2028 and 2031. Local content is expected to exceed 80 percent with the domestic engine.

The prime contractor is TUSAŞ (Turkish Aerospace Industries / TAI) in Ankara, responsible for the airframe, rotor systems and final assembly.

• Engine: TEI (indigenous TS1400); LHTEC CTS800-4N on current deliveries
• Avionics and mission systems: ASELSAN (integrated modular avionics)
• Airframe, rotor and assembly: TUSAŞ
• Supply chain: numerous domestic subcontractors

GÖKBEY aims to meet Türkiye’s general-purpose helicopter needs through domestic production. Scaling the program reduces dependence on imported rotorcraft and keeps spare-parts and maintenance chains inside the country. With the indigenous TS1400 engine, GÖKBEY could become a fully independent platform with export potential.

The first serial-production aircraft was delivered to the Gendarmerie General Command on 29 October 2024.

The Gendarmerie and the Turkish Land Forces are active operators. Deliveries are planned for the Air Force, Police, Coast Guard and Navy.

Four to the Gendarmerie and a first aircraft to the Land Forces (30 April 2026); a second Land Forces helicopter in June 2026 is expected to bring the total to six.

Current deliveries use the LHTEC CTS800-4N. Integration of the indigenous TEI TS1400 is under way, with serial installation planned from around 2027.

Two pilots and up to 12 passengers/troops.

Serial production and in-service status effectively began with the first delivery on 29 October 2024.