Türkiye's aviation industry and health infrastructure have joined forces in a strategic and humanitarian project. Prof. Dr. Haluk Görgün, President of the Presidency of Defence Industries, and Prof. Dr. Kemal Memişoğlu, Minister of Health, inspected the production and test flights of the GÖKBEY Air Ambulance on-site at TUSAŞ's facilities in Ankara. The domestic helicopter, which recently proved its capability by receiving its civil flight certificate, has now taken to the skies in a fully equipped "flying emergency service" configuration. The Ministry of Health will officially add 3 GÖKBEY air ambulances to its inventory this year (2026), completely ending the multi-billion lira dependency on imported platforms in health logistics.
The transfer of high technological expertise gained in the defence industry to civilian and humanitarian fields is seen as one of the most important criteria demonstrating a country's engineering maturity. Türkiye is proving this maturity in the field by transforming the T625 GÖKBEY, originally designed as a general-purpose helicopter, into an aircraft that will deliver healing to its citizens in challenging geographies. The recent test flights, announced under the coordination of the Presidency's Directorate of Communications in Ankara, clearly reveal that the joint engineering intelligence of TUSAŞ, ASELSAN, and TEI has translated into tangible success in civil aviation.
Details of the Flying Emergency Service Configuration
Transforming a helicopter from a standard personnel carrier into an air ambulance requires a highly complex engineering and system integration process. GÖKBEY perfectly adapts to this medical transformation thanks to its spacious cabin volume and low-vibration flight dynamics.
TUSAŞ and ASELSAN engineers completely redesigned the helicopter's interior architecture to the standards of a flying intensive care unit. The air ambulance configuration features the following critical equipment to keep the patient alive during flight:
- Advanced Medical Equipment: Thanks to portable ventilators, defibrillators, advanced central oxygen systems, and vital signs monitors integrated into the helicopter cabin, all types of emergency medical interventions can be performed in the air.
- Avionics and Navigation Safety: The glass cockpit and autopilot systems developed by ASELSAN guarantee that pilots can safely transport the patient to the nearest healthcare facility even at night, in foggy conditions, or over steep mountainous terrain.
The Era of Imported Helicopters Ends
Due to its challenging geography and large surface area, Türkiye has a massive operational need for air ambulances in its emergency health services (112 Emergency). In past years, the Ministry of Health held tenders for leasing or purchasing entirely foreign-origin helicopters to establish and operate this vital fleet. This situation both caused millions of dollars in foreign currency to leave the country annually and made the nation dependent on foreign sources for spare parts, maintenance, repair, and modernisation processes.
The GÖKBEY project completely eliminates this logistical and financial vulnerability. Having recently received its Airworthiness Certificate from the General Directorate of Civil Aviation (SHGM) covering its airframe, engine, and rotor design, the domestic helicopter is now legally and technically fully ready for civil operations. The fact that all critical parts of the helicopter are domestic ensures immediate intervention in case of potential failures, supporting the fleet's continuous availability (combat/mission readiness).
The Productive Health Vision and Statements from Leaders
Speaking at the test flight ceremony, state officials clearly articulated the strategic depth of this project. Drawing attention to the fact that high technology in the world is often used for destruction, Minister of Health Prof. Dr. Kemal Memişoğlu stated: "Türkiye's technology takes flight to save lives, to be a breath of hope. The 3 GÖKBEY ambulances we will add to our inventory this year will be the proud emblem in the sky of our 'Productive Health' vision."
Prof. Dr. Haluk Görgün, President of the Presidency of Defence Industries, described the level reached by GÖKBEY as a concrete manifestation of national engineering and a multi-stakeholder production architecture. Görgün said, "In the coming period, with the completion of the ambulance configuration, we aim to position GÖKBEY more effectively in the field," emphasising that the project is a product of the excellent synergy between TUSAŞ, ASELSAN, and TEI.
Export Doors Open
The Ministry of Health's activation of 3 GÖKBEY air ambulances within 2026 constitutes a major reference point for the Turkish aviation industry. This strategic step not only increases the speed of emergency health services within the country but also declares to the global arena that Türkiye is a visionary nation using its own high technology to improve the quality of life of its civilian population. The GÖKBEY Air Ambulance, which will prove itself in the field under real operational conditions, is preparing to create massive export potential in the international market in the coming years.
