TUSAŞ has delivered the fifth GÖKBEY helicopter to the Gendarmerie Aviation Command. The delivery, announced on social media by the company's CEO, Dr. Mehmet Demiroğlu, marks a significant milestone in the growth of the domestic helicopter fleet.
Technical Skills and Operational Role
The delivered GÖKBEY helicopter is Türkiye's first domestically produced and civilian-certified general-purpose helicopter. This 6-ton class helicopter stands out for its ability to operate in challenging geographical and climatic conditions. The GÖKBEY helicopters within the Gendarmerie are used in search and rescue, reconnaissance and surveillance, VIP/military personnel transport, and logistical support missions. Along with the four GÖKBEY helicopters previously delivered, this helicopter is expected to significantly increase the Gendarmerie's air mobility and operational reach. The platform has the potential to integrate domestically produced avionics systems, as well as the TEI TS1400 national helicopter engine, which is currently under development.
GÖKBEY Program and Institutional Capacity
The GÖKBEY program is considered one of the unique engineering achievements in helicopter development within the Turkish defense industry. The helicopter, which made its first flight in 2018, received its type certification from the General Directorate of Civil Aviation (SHGM) in 2023, entering the serial production and delivery process. The Gendarmerie Aviation became the program's first operational user. This latest delivery demonstrates the stable operation of TUSAŞ's GÖKBEY production line and the platform's ability to continuously meet the diverse needs of different users.
Fleet Growth and Export Potential
The delivery of the fifth GÖKBEY represents not only a numerical increase but also a concrete demonstration of the Gendarmerie's transformation process with domestically produced platforms. These deliveries increase personnel familiarity with the platform while also maturing the maintenance and logistics infrastructure. Further deliveries are expected for the Gendarmerie and other security units in the coming period. GÖKBEY's civilian certification also demonstrates its potential to be a strong contender in both local and international markets in civilian areas such as firefighting, ambulance services, and offshore transportation. With this delivery, TUSAŞ has taken another step towards positioning GÖKBEY as a reliable platform for both military and civilian operators.
