The Turkish Security General Directorate intends to broaden its fleet with ten new helicopters, specifically stating a need to better track suspected criminals and intervening in incidents that could erupt during mass demonstrations.

Reports state that they are finding their current MD600 fleet “insufficient in most cases” citing “performance problems, particularly in high temperatures and at high altitudes”.  The organisation is thus looking for a more capable helicopter type which can carry up to six individuals, although they have not made it clear whether that includes pilot(s) or not.  As with any serious law enforcement agency in these times, the full specification of the aircraft will include a thermal imaging (infrared) system with live downlink to their command centre.

A tender is expected to be launched soon by the Undersecretariat for the Defense Industry, the country’s arms procurement agency.