Somalia’s National Aviation Forces possible acquisition of ATAK attack Helicopters..

As of March 2025, Somalia has been in discussions with Türkiye regarding the acquisition of Turkish-made T129 ATAK attack helicopters to strengthen its defence capabilities, 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, Both nations 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, 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.