A significant step has been taken at SAHA 2026 to strengthen Türkiye’s capabilities in anti-submarine warfare. Armelsan and Turkish Aerospace signed a memorandum of understanding for the integration of the Orkun 2053 Dipping Sonar into the GÖKBEY Helicopter. The agreement, signed during SAHA 2026 International Defense, Aerospace and Space Industry Fair at the Istanbul Expo Center, marks the first official step toward equipping Türkiye’s indigenous helicopter with advanced maritime mission capabilities.

The memorandum was signed by Armelsan Chairman Yetkin Karakaş, Armelsan CEO Can Emre Bakım, Turkish Aerospace Chairman Ömer Cihad Vardan and Turkish Aerospace CEO Mehmet Demiroğlu. With this agreement, the integration process of Armelsan’s Orkun 2053 helicopter dipping sonar into the GÖKBEY platform has formally begun. The project aims to provide Türkiye with a more independent capability in anti-submarine warfare through the integration of a domestic sensor system into a domestic air platform.

Orkun 2053 stands out as an advanced sonar system designed to operate from helicopters by being lowered into the sea, unlike traditional ship-mounted sonar systems. The system transfers critical acoustic detection capability from an airborne platform to the maritime domain, enabling the detection and tracking of submarine threats. According to Armelsan, Orkun 2053 can operate even at depths of 500 meters and offers high output power along with innovative signal processing algorithms.

These capabilities are designed to reduce the stealth advantage of submarines and enable more effective detection of threats in deep waters. Considering that submarine operations are largely based on silence and concealment, advanced dipping sonar systems are becoming strategic sensor solutions for naval forces. Once integrated into GÖKBEY, Orkun 2053 will enable the helicopter to perform more effective detection, tracking and surveillance missions in anti-submarine warfare operations.

The integration is also expected to further enhance the multi-role nature of the GÖKBEY Helicopter. As Türkiye’s first indigenous general-purpose helicopter, GÖKBEY has been developed for a wide range of missions, including land, security and utility operations. With the Orkun 2053 integration, the platform could gain the potential to undertake maritime missions as well, particularly in anti-submarine warfare. This would provide GÖKBEY with a critical sensor infrastructure for naval operations.

The agreement between Armelsan and Turkish Aerospace once again highlights the importance of cooperation between platform manufacturers and sensor developers within the Turkish defense industry. Equipping a domestically developed helicopter with a domestically developed dipping sonar is not merely a product integration effort; it is also a strategic step toward developing national naval aviation capabilities. Through this cooperation, Türkiye aims to strengthen its maritime awareness, submarine detection and anti-submarine warfare capacity.

The signature at SAHA 2026 indicates that GÖKBEY may take on a more active role in future maritime missions. Positioned as a new and sharp eye for anti-submarine warfare, Orkun 2053 is expected to expand the mission capabilities of the national helicopter in the Blue Homeland once integration is completed. This development stands out as an important step supporting Türkiye’s goal of building independent capabilities in maritime security and defense through domestic solutions.