Somalia is looking to acquire ATAK attack helicopters from Turkey to bolster its combat capacity.
As of March 2025, Somalia has been in discussions with Türkiye regarding the acquisition of Turkish-made T-129 ATAK attack helicopters to strengthen its defence capabilities.
Last February, Turkey and Somalia agreed to boost their defence and economic ties in a bid to enhance their partnership and the stability of the region.
The defense and economic cooperation framework agreement was signed in Ankara by Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler and his Somali counterpart Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur.
These talks are part of a broader effort to enhance Somalia’s military power in countering insurgent groups and ensuring national security. While negotiations are ongoing, details regarding the specific models, quantity, and delivery timeline have not been publicly disclosed.
Currently, the Somali ground forces have at least 10 helicopters previously donated by Italy, and want to buy more. Somalia and Turkey have emphasised their commitment to strengthening defence cooperation, reflecting the deepening bilateral relations between Somalia and Türkiye. However, neither the Somali Ministry of Defence nor the Turkish government has issued an official statement on the matter.
These advanced attack helicopters, developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries, are expected to bolster the Somali Air Force (SAF) in its ongoing fight against insurgent groups, including the Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabaab. The move marks a pivotal step in Somalia’s efforts to modernize its defense infrastructure and assert greater control over its security landscape. Once finalized, the deal should become a significant milestone for the Somali military on its path toward re-equipment with modern weapons and overall reinforcement “in response to persistent security threats.
Although, as of today, neither party has yet confirmed these plans, and many other details of this potential agreement remain unknown, particularly the contract value, number of helicopters, their equipment, or delivery timelines.
The T-129 ATAK is a twin-engine, multirole attack helicopter designed for armed reconnaissance and precision strikes in challenging environments. Equipped with advanced avionics, including a helmet-mounted sight and GPS-integrated navigation systems, the helicopter is capable of operating in all weather conditions, day or night. Its agility and firepower make it a formidable asset for counterinsurgency operations, particularly in Somalia’s rugged terrain where ground forces often face logistical challenges.
The T-129 ATAK combat helicopter has an endurance of 3 hours and is equipped with 76 unguided 70 mm rockets and a 20 mm cannon with a capacity of 500 rounds.
T-129 is designed for multi-role missions and is integrated with the most advanced electronic warfare systems.
It can simultaneously carry 8 UMTAS guided anti-tank missiles, 12 guided CİRİT missiles, 2 STINGER missiles, and a 20 mm cannon with 500 rounds.
Reports indicate that Somali pilots and soldiers have been undergoing training in Turkey to operate the T-129 ATAK, as well as other helicopter models. This training underscores the deepening military cooperation between Somalia and Turkey, a partnership that has grown significantly in recent years. The establishment of the TURKSOM military base in Mogadishu has been a cornerstone of this collaboration, providing Somali forces with training and access to advanced military technology.
It is also reported that Somalia recently enhanced its military arsenal by acquiring Bayraktar Akıncı Unmanned Combat Aerial Systems (UCAS) from Türkiye. This strategic move aims to bolster Somalia’s efforts in combating Al-Shabaab, which continues to pose significant security challenges. Delivery of these unmanned systems was confirmed by Somali Minister of Ports and Maritime Transport, Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, who announced that two Turkish-built drones were received, transported via Türkiye’s A400M military airlifter.
As of 2024, Somalia had only two Bell 412 utility helicopters acquired in August 2023. Subsequently, in 2024, , Italy donated a batch of additional rotorcraft, bringing the total number to ten units: six Bell 412s (incl. one Bell-412SP) and four Bell 205As.