Turkish Aerospace to Restart T-70 Helicopter Production After US Sanctions Lifted
Improved ties between Ankara, Washington lift T-70 programme. Turkish Aerospace (TAI) will resume production of the T-70 utility helicopter – a local variant of the Sikorsky S-70 – following sanctions relief from the US government. "The [T-70] programme has already started again," says TAI chief executive Mehmet Demiroglu, speaking at the recent Farnborough air show. "As of the beginning of this year, we reached an agreement with Sikorsky for another 39 units, and we received export licenses for that programme, so we don't see any problem." The sanctions originally stemmed from Ankara's decision to obtain Russia's S-400 surface-to-air missile system, a move that upset Washington. The administration of US President Donald Trump, however, has aimed to improve ties with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. This includes sanctions relief, including the possibility of bringing Turkey back into the Lockheed Martin F-35 programme . Despite the warming ties, Demiroglu indicates that sanctions "inevitably" caused delays to the programme. He indicates that 38 T-70s were completed before the impact of sanctions were felt. The type is operated by the Turkey's air force and army, as well as parapublic agencies. Original plans had called for 109 T-70s to be produced by TAI. Demiroglu indicates that after the upcoming 39-unit batch an additional 32 could be produced, which would bring deliveries to the 109 figure. He hints that the full allotment of T-70s may be needed given that over 200 in-service Turkish military helicopters will be retired by 2040. "So, within that ten-year period the Turkish armed forces will need more than 200 platforms." Based on the S-70, the T-70 features a range of indigenous structures, avionics, and locally produced Tusas Engineering Industries T700 engines. He adds that work continues with the 11t T925 helicopter, which will serve in both civilian and military roles. In addition to supporting Turkish military replacement needs in the 2030s, he expects strong export demand for the type. He estimates overall demand for the platform, which is due to fly in 2027, could see TAI produce 400-500 examples.