The Turkish Defence Ministry assigned an AKINCI and AS 532 CougarS&R helicopter to search for the Iranian President’s missing helicopter. . AKINCI identified a source of heat as a crash site.
In a display of solidarity with its neighbouring country, Iran, the Turkish Defence Ministry has assigned an AKINCI and a Search and Rescue helicopter for the Iranian President’s helicopter. The AKINCI, with its advanced capabilities, has identified a source of heat, potentially a crash site, furthering the joint efforts of the two nations.
The helicopter that carries Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, the governor of East Azerbaijan Province Malik Rahmeti, and Hashim of Tabriz province Imam Ayatollah Ali lost contact yesterday. The destiny of the helicopter is unknown. Search and rescue operations started yesterday in Iran’s mountainous region under adverse weather conditions. Turkiye joined the efforts with an AKINCI UAV for ISR missions and a Cougar Search and Rescue helicopter. Anadolu News Agency reported that AKINCI identified a source of heat which might be originating from the crash site of the Iranian President’s helicopter. Turkiye informed local authorities about the heat source.
President Raisi and his delegation attended an inauguration ceremony on the Iran-Azerbaijan border, which strengthened bilateral relations. Iranian state television reported that the accident occurred when Raisi’s helicopter made a hard landing while returning from the region.
The Ministry of National Defence announced that an Akıncı UAV and a Cougar-type helicopter with night vision capabilities were assigned to participate in search and rescue activities.
The Ministry of National Defence made the following statement:
"Based on the request made by the Iranian authorities through our Ministry of Foreign Affairs, an Akıncı UAV and a Cougar type helicopter with night vision capabilities were assigned to participate in the search and rescue activities of the crashed helicopter of the President of Iran and his delegation."
