TUSAŞ T-625 Gökbey

T-625 GÖKBEY is a multi-role helicopter designed, developed, and produced by Turkish engineers at TUSAŞ facilities to meet the geographical and climatic conditions of Türkiye for use by the Turkish Armed Forces and the civil aviation sector.

The Local Helicopter Program, aimed at fulfilling the general-purpose helicopter requirements of the Turkish Armed Forces and other institutions with a unique platform, was launched on 15 June 2010 by decision of the Defence Industry Executive Committee (SSİK). The contract for the six-ton multi-role helicopter project was signed on 26 June 2013, and the program schedule commenced on 6 September 2013. Under the project, Alp Havacılık was responsible for the production and assembly of the landing gear, transmission, and dynamic components, while the Spanish company CESA (Empresa Española de Sistemas Aeronáuticos) was selected for the supply of hydraulic systems. The program’s budget and timeline were determined by an SSİK decision on 3 January 2013, and the contract between SSM and TUSAŞ was signed on 26 June 2013^【1】.

The T625 GÖKBEY helicopter successfully completed its first flight on 6 September 2018. On 29 June 2019, the T-625 prototype performed its first flight with full equipment, thereby completing the certification flight approved by the General Directorate of Civil Aviation.

On 19 April 2023, the P1 prototype, powered by the domestically developed and produced TS1400 turboshaft engines from TEI, successfully completed its first test flight^【2】. In the following period, the T625 GÖKBEY helicopter conducted its first international flight in 2024 and demonstrated itself as a platform attracting international interest. Additionally, its performance was validated under different climatic conditions through cold-weather testing in Sweden^【3】.

On 29 October 2024, the first delivery was made to the General Command of Gendarmerie in the 101st year of the Republic. Serial production, certification, and delivery processes are ongoing, with certification activities being conducted to align with international authorities such as the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the General Directorate of Civil Aviation (SHGM). A contract signed on 4 July 2025 approved the production of an additional 57 helicopters, with deliveries scheduled to begin by 2028^【4】.

^{GÖKBEY helicopter during winter testing in Sweden (}Anadolu Agency⁾

The T625 GÖKBEY project was initiated to meet Türkiye’s requirement for a six-ton multi-role helicopter. Critical infrastructure components including structural systems, rotor systems, transmission, landing gear, and avionics were designed and manufactured using national resources. The design process incorporated knowledge and experience gained from previous helicopter projects^【5】.

The helicopter features a modern digital cockpit and advanced avionics systems integrated to support functions such as navigation, communication, identification, and mission management. It is certified for single-pilot IFR/VFR operations. Some components of the avionics system were developed by Aselsan.

The T625 GÖKBEY helicopter is designed to perform a wide range of missions—including cargo transport, VIP and personnel transport, air ambulance/medical evacuation, search and rescue, and offshore operations—on a single platform. Its spacious cabin, multiple configuration options, and integration with a national engine system make it a general-purpose helicopter capable of effective performance in both military and civil roles^【6】.

The TEI-TS1400 engine was developed under the national turboshaft engine program and is designed to meet the helicopter’s high power requirements.

• Length (rotors turning): 15.87 m
• Main rotor diameter: 13.20 m
• Maximum takeoff weight: 6,050 kg
• Crew: 2
• Passenger capacity: 12 persons
• Cargo volume: 1.1 m³
• Maximum cruise speed: ~306 km/h
• Range: ~740 km (standard fuel) / ~948 km (external fuel)
• Endurance: ~3.8+ hours / ~5+ hours (external fuel)
• Service ceiling: ~6,069 m

^{T-625 Gökbey Technical Specifications (}Anadolu Agency⁾