GÖKBEY Deliveries: How Many Units Have Been Delivered, Which Institutions Are Using Them?
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T625 GÖKBEY in the configuration of the Turkish Land Forces Command. Source: Wikimedia Commons (public domain/CC).
GÖKBEY (T625) is a twin-engine, original utility helicopter developed by TUSAŞ in the 6-ton class. The first serial production delivery was made to the General Command of the Gendarmerie on October 29, 2024; it was also delivered to the Land Forces Command on April 30, 2026, entering the inventory. A total of 20 helicopters are planned to be delivered to five different institutions within 2026. This document compiles the delivery schedule of GÖKBEY, user institutions, production plan, and technical data based on open sources.
Contents: You can open and close the relevant section by tapping on the headings below — What is GÖKBEY, user institutions, first/last delivery, how many were delivered, delivery chronology, technical specifications, engine, manufacturer, and FAQs.
What is GÖKBEY (T625)?
GÖKBEY is a multi-purpose helicopter designed for a range of civil and military missions in the 6-ton class. It can carry two pilots and 12 personnel; it can be used for personnel/cargo transport, search and rescue, medical evacuation (MEDEVAC), reconnaissance-surveillance, and VIP transport.
The local content rate in the helicopter exceeds 70%. With the integration of the domestic TS1400 engine, it is aimed to increase this rate to over 80%. GÖKBEY is positioned as one of the cornerstones of Turkey’s unique helicopter ecosystem.
Which institutions are using it?
The first institution to actively use GÖKBEY was the General Command of Gendarmerie. The Land Forces Command included GÖKBEY in its inventory as of April 30, 2026. Deliveries planned for the Air Force, General Directorate of Security, Coast Guard, and Naval Forces are ongoing. (The police, gendarmerie, and coast guard are part of the expanded order under the Ministry of Interior.)
Institution
Status
Planned / delivery quantity
General Command of Gendarmerie
Active (first operator)
4 deliveries + 3 (2026 plan)
General Command of Land Forces
Active (April 2026)
7 (2026 plan) + 15 (expanded)
General Command of Air Forces
Planned
4 (2026 plan)
General Directorate of Security
Planned
3 (within the Ministry of Interior)
Coast Guard Command
Planned
3 (within the Ministry of Interior)
General Command of Naval Forces
Planned (TS1400 series)
57 (2028–2031)
When was the first delivery made? When did mass production start?
The first flight of GÖKBEY took place on September 6, 2018. After the testing and certification processes, mass production began. The first mass production delivery was made to the General Command of Gendarmerie on the 101st anniversary of the Republic — October 29, 2024. This delivery is considered the actual start of GÖKBEY’s mass production and entry into the inventory.
How many were delivered?
According to the deliveries announced to the public, a total of 4 units of GÖKBEY were delivered to the General Command of Gendarmerie (on October 29, 2024, December 11, 2024, January 10, 2025, and subsequent deliveries). The first delivery to the Land Forces Command was made on April 30, 2026. TUSAŞ management announced that the second helicopter for the Land Forces will be delivered in June 2026. Thus, the total number of announced deliveries is expected to reach 6.
GÖKBEY on display at the Teknofest event. Source: Wikimedia Commons (CC).
Latest delivery and upcoming deliveries
The latest announced delivery is the first helicopter for the Land Forces on April 30, 2026; the second is planned for June 2026. A total of 20 helicopters are targeted for five institutions in 2026. The expanded scale of the program reaches a total of 83 helicopters, with 15 for the Land Forces and 42 for the Ministry of Interior. The delivery of a planned batch of 57 units for the Naval Forces, with the domestic TS1400 engine, is expected between 2028 and 2031. TUSAŞ aims to gradually increase the production rate to 4 helicopters per month.
Period
Target
Note
2024
First series deliveries
General Command of Gendarmerie
2026
20 units
Army 7 / Air Force 4 / Gendarmerie 3 / Police 3 / Coast Guard 3
T625 GÖKBEY at the Le Bourget (Paris) Air Show. Source: Wikimedia Commons (CC).
Engine: From CTS800 to domestic TS1400
The current deliveries of GÖKBEY are made with the LHTEC CTS800-4N turboshaft engines used in the T129 ATAK helicopter. Turkey’s goal is to integrate the domestically developed TS1400 turboshaft engine by TEI into serial production helicopters. The installation of the TS1400 on serial production aircraft is expected to start around 2027, with the delivery of a batch of 57 units with the domestic engine planned between 2028 and 2031. It is expected that the local content rate will exceed 80% with the domestic engine.
Subsystems and manufacturer
The main contractor for GÖKBEY is TUSAŞ (Turkish Aerospace Industries / TAI) in Ankara. The fuselage, rotor systems, and final assembly are carried out by TUSAŞ.
Engine: TEI (domestic TS1400) and LHTEC CTS800-4N for current deliveries
Avionics and mission systems: ASELSAN (integrated modular avionics)
Fuselage, rotor, and assembly: TUSAŞ
Supply chain: numerous domestic subcontractors
Why is it important for Turkey?
GÖKBEY aims to meet Turkey’s general-purpose helicopter needs with domestic production. The proliferation of the program reduces dependence on imported helicopters and keeps the spare parts and maintenance-repair chain within the country. With the domestic TS1400 engine, GÖKBEY could become a fully independent platform with export potential.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was GÖKBEY delivered for the first time?
The first serial production delivery was made to the General Command of Gendarmerie on October 29, 2024.
Which institutions use GÖKBEY?
The General Command of Gendarmerie and the Land Forces Command are active users. Deliveries are planned for the Air Force, Police, Coast Guard, and Naval Forces.
How many GÖKBEY helicopters have been delivered?
According to announced deliveries, 4 were delivered to the Gendarmerie, and the first delivery to the Land Forces is scheduled for April 30, 2026; the number is expected to reach 6 with the second Land Forces helicopter in June 2026.
Is GÖKBEY’s engine domestic?
Current deliveries are made with LHTEC CTS800-4N engines. The integration of the domestic TEI TS1400 engine is ongoing; it is planned to be integrated into serial production around 2027.
How many people can GÖKBEY carry?
It can carry 2 pilots and 12 passengers/personnel.
When did the serial production of GÖKBEY start?
The serial production and entry into inventory period officially began with the first delivery on October 29, 2024.
