Turkey delivers combat helicopters to Somalia under deepening defense pact
T129 Atak and utility helicopters to bolster counterterrorism and maritime security operations
MOGADISHU, Somalia (MNTV) — Somalia has received a fleet of advanced Turkish-made helicopters as part of a growing defense partnership with Turkey, signaling a major boost to the country’s military capabilities amid ongoing operations against the al-Shabaab militant group.
The delivery includes three T129 Atak attack helicopters for the Somali Air Force and two utility helicopters assigned to the Somali Navy.
The shipment, facilitated by Turkish A400M and Qatari C-17A military cargo aircraft, comes under the terms of a 10-year defense agreement signed between the two countries in February 2024.
Somali pilots, who have undergone months of specialized training in Turkey, are now prepared to operate the T129 helicopters—designed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) and also deployed by Turkish forces in counterinsurgency operations.
The helicopters will provide aerial firepower to support ground troops and target militant positions in remote regions.
The utility helicopters will assist the Somali Navy in maritime surveillance and rapid-response missions along the country’s 3,300-kilometer coastline, which has long been threatened by piracy, illegal fishing, and smuggling.
In addition to the aircraft, Turkey has deployed approximately 500 military personnel to Somalia.
The Turkish forces are stationed at the Turksom base in Mogadishu and operate a range of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), including the TB2 Bayraktar and Akinci drones, enhancing Somalia’s intelligence and surveillance capabilities.
The deepening security ties coincide with an uptick in al-Shabaab activity and Somalia’s preparations for a national electoral transition in 2026.
Defense analysts view the Turkish-Somali cooperation as critical to stabilizing the country ahead of the elections and establishing durable national defense infrastructure.
Turkey’s involvement in Somalia has expanded over the years from humanitarian relief to a comprehensive partnership encompassing military training, infrastructure development, and energy cooperation.
In 2024, Ankara signed an agreement with Mogadishu to jointly explore offshore energy resources, further underlining its long-term strategic interest in the Horn of Africa.
With the latest military transfer, Turkey reinforces its position as a central defense and development partner in Somalia, offering an integrated model of cooperation in a geopolitically sensitive region.
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