Two important developments have marked Türkiye’s national aviation efforts. The first HÜRJET aircraft designated for delivery to the Turkish Air Force successfully completed its own maiden flight on Victory Day, 30 August. Meanwhile, the General Directorate of Security received its first GÖKBEY helicopter. The work of Turkish engineers and manufacturing teams has delivered new achievements that make our country proud. (Turkish Aerospace — HÜRJET flight announcement (2026); SSB, 7 September 2026)
Taking to the skies on the 104th anniversary of the Great Victory, HÜRJET reached an altitude of 13,000 feet and a speed of 250 knots during its 18-minute flight. According to Turkish Aerospace’s announcement, all planned test points were successfully completed. The first aircraft destined for the Turkish Air Force Command thus passed an important milestone in its own flight programme. (Turkish Aerospace — HÜRJET flight announcement (2026))
The HÜRJET programme’s first flight took place on 25 April 2023. The milestone on 30 August 2026 was the maiden flight of the first aircraft designated for delivery to the Air Force. This distinction illustrates the programme’s progression from its first time in the skies to preparing aircraft for delivery. (Turkish Aerospace — HÜRJET first flight (2023); Turkish Aerospace — HÜRJET flight announcement (2026))
HÜRJET is being developed to meet Türkiye’s jet trainer requirements through domestic capabilities, with modern avionics and high manoeuvrability among its design objectives. Through the programme, the Presidency of Defence Industries (SSB) aims to strengthen our country’s ability to develop aircraft of its own design and its technological independence in aviation. Offering a competitive product on the international market is another of the project’s objectives. (SSB — HÜRJET Project)
GÖKBEY, another source of pride for national aviation, also marked a new delivery. In its announcement dated 7 September 2026, the SSB reported the delivery of the first GÖKBEY helicopter to the General Directorate of Security. The handover represented a tangible step towards meeting public institutions’ needs with an aircraft developed in our country. (SSB, 7 September 2026)
The Indigenous Helicopter Programme, under which GÖKBEY is being developed, aims to meet the Turkish Armed Forces’ and other institutions’ requirements for training helicopters and light utility helicopters. Its design, development and production activities are carried out using national resources and capabilities. (SSB — GÖKBEY Project)
Behind these steps in the HÜRJET and GÖKBEY programmes lies a shared effort spanning drawing boards, production lines and flight tests. The expertise of engineers, technicians, test teams and manufacturing workers is giving tangible form to Türkiye’s ambition to develop its own aircraft.
HÜRJET’s flight on Victory Day and GÖKBEY’s delivery to the police are two valuable outcomes of this work for our national aviation sector. Seeing aircraft designed and manufactured by our own people in the skies strengthens our confidence in homegrown national technology.
