Defence

These Helicopters Made by Turkey Will Blow Your Mind

In recent years, Turkey has made significant strides in its aerospace industry, with a particular focus on advancing its domestic helicopter capabilities. This progress is marked by the development of several indigenous helicopter models designed to meet diverse operational needs and reduce reliance on foreign technology.

From advanced attack helicopters to versatile utility aircraft, Turkish aerospace companies have been at the forefront of creating innovative solutions tailored to both military and civilian applications.

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In this article, we will explores the key types of domestically built Turkish helicopters, highlighting their roles, features, and the impact of these advancements on Turkey’s defense and aviation sectors.

T129 ATAK:

The T129 ATAK is a highly advanced multi-role combat helicopter developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) in collaboration with AgustaWestland. It is designed for reconnaissance, anti-tank warfare, and close air support.

The T129 features advanced avionics, a powerful engine, and advanced weapon systems including laser-guided missiles and rockets. It has five-bladed main rotor with a diameter of 11.9 meters, providing stability and maneuverability.The Turkish T129 is emerging as a strong competitor among contemporary attack helicopters such as the Tiger, Z-10, and LCH Prachand. With a unit cost of approximately helicopter price US$50 million, the T129 is positioned as a cost-effective option for nations seeking advanced multi-role attack capabilities.

The T625 Gökbey:

The TAI T625 Gökbey is a twin-engine light transport and utility helicopter developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries.

The helicopter features a four-axis, dual-redundant automatic flight control system and an ASELSAN glass cockpit. The T625, which weighs around 5 tonnes, is currently powered by two LHTEC CTS800 engines.

It has a five-blade main rotor and a four-blade tail rotor, with a main rotor diameter of 13.20 meters, designed to minimize vibration and noise. The T625 Gökbey has received a $1 billion offer from an undisclosed country.

The T-70

The T-70 is a versatile utility helicopter developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) in collaboration with Sikorsky Aircraft, based on the Sikorsky S-70 Black Hawk. This helicopter is designed to perform a wide range of missions, including troop transport, medical evacuation, search and rescue, and cargo lift operations.

Equipped with advanced avionics, a powerful twin-engine setup, and sophisticated navigation systems, the T-70 offers exceptional reliability and performance. Its four-bladed main rotor, with a diameter of 16.36 meters, provides excellent stability and maneuverability, making it suitable for various operational environments.

The T-70 is fitted with a range of modern communication and mission equipment, making it a robust platform for both military and civilian applications. The T-70’s adaptability and advanced features make it a competitive choice in the global market for utility helicopters, especially for countries seeking a reliable and versatile platform. The T-70 Black Hawk helicopter, developed under a $3.5 billion program, appeals to nations looking for a capable and affordable utility helicopter solution.

Upcoming Future Helicopter
T925 Helicopter:

The T-925 is being developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) as a heavy-lift rotorcraft designed to serve military, civilian, and industrial sectors.

The helicopter is being built with versatility in mind, drawing on Turkey’s extensive experience with the Russian Mil Mi-17 (“Hip”) transport-gunships, American Sikorsky S-70 “Black Hawk,” and French Airbus “Cougar” models.

The T925 is set to take its inaugural flight in 2024, with deliveries anticipated to begin in 2026. Designed for both search-and-rescue and firefighting missions, it has the capability to drop up to 2.5 tonnes of water.

T929 ATAK 2

The T929 ATAK 2 heavy attack helicopter, a heavier and larger variant of the T129 that it seeks to replace in Turkish service, has been introduced by TAI. The rotorcraft, created under the ATAK-2 programme and powered by Ukrainian-made engines, is anticipated to be handed to the Turkish Army starting in 2025, according to officials.

T929 helicopter is equipped with tandem seats, an asymmetrical weapons bay, a large capacity for ammunition, a low IR signature, a digital cockpit, ballistic protection, better avionics, and the potential to engage in electronic warfare and countermeasure operations.

In addition, it has an Aselsan forward-looking electro-optic/infrared turret and a T-30H 30 mm chain cannon positioned on the chin.

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Defence

Indian Air Force Considers Anti-Drone Technology for Apache and LCH

India’s military aviation sector is making significant strides with its impressive fleet of helicopters, notably the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand, which recently achieved a milestone by conducting its first-ever day-and-night firing of 20 mm turret guns and 70 mm rockets.

Now, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is actively exploring the development of anti-drone capabilities leveraging its fleet of attack helicopters, including the Boeing AH-64 Apache and the indigenously developed LCH.

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This initiative is a direct response to the increasing threat posed by armed drones and remotely piloted vehicles (RPVs), which have transformed modern warfare. Recent conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East have demonstrated how these advanced aerial systems can bypass traditional anti-aircraft defenses and surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems.

As future conflicts are likely to see widespread use of armed drones, the urgent need for innovative countermeasures against these threats has become clear.

Israel, a close defense partner of India, has been actively utilizing counter-drone operations with its AH-64 attack helicopters for some time.

This aircraft won’t need a runway

Notably, on October 1st, the U.S. Army’s Central Command reported that one of its AH-64 helicopters successfully engaged an unmanned aerial system (UAS) using an upgraded AGM-114 Hellfire missile during the Red Sands training exercise in Saudi Arabia. This successful operation marks a significant advancement in the development of effective counter-drone weapon systems.

The IAF, which already operates AH-64 attack helicopters equipped with AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, compare atak 2 vs apache recognizes the necessity of developing a secondary counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) capability within its helicopter fleet. The LCH, known for its heavy armament and high maneuverability, is already in service and can be customized to fulfill the Air Force’s anti-drone requirements.

Being an indigenous product developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the LCH can be quickly and cost-effectively equipped with new sensors and weaponry to serve in an anti-drone defense role. This adaptability, supported by India’s growing defense industry ecosystem, positions the IAF well to meet emerging aerial threats.