They were not used in firefighting... The aircraft that sparked public debate are up for auction on UYAP

Eight of the firefighting aircraft belonging to the Turkish Aeronautical Association (THK), which were the subject of debate for not being used during the major forest fires that occurred in Turkey in recent years, have been put up for sale. The sale of the 8 amphibious firefighting aircraft is being conducted via the UYAP E-Sales Portal.

In the sale carried out by the Ankara Civil Court of Peace Sales Office under the 2025/7 Guardianship Sale file, the requested price for the 8 aircraft was set at 1 billion 457 million 715 thousand 800 Turkish Liras.

Despite the approaching deadline for the auction, no bids have yet been placed for the 8 CL-215 Amphibious Firefighting Aircraft registered to Gökçen Havacılık İktisadi İşletmesi Lojistik Anonim Şirketi, one of the companies affiliated with the Turkish Aeronautical Association.

The year of production and the dollar value of the aircraft put up for sale are as follows:

"The aircraft with registration code TC-TKZ/1076, produced in 1983, is valued at 6 million 425 thousand Dollars,

The aircraft with registration code TC-TKT/1097, produced in 1987, is valued at 7 million 810 thousand Dollars,

The aircraft with registration code TC-TKY/1108, produced in 1989, is valued at 7 million 640 thousand Dollars,

The aircraft with registration code TC-TKH/1104, produced in 1988, is valued at 7 million 710 thousand Dollars,

The aircraft with registration code TC-TKM/1027, produced in 1969, is valued at 1 million 900 thousand Dollars,

The aircraft with registration code TC-TKK/1030, produced in 1970, is valued at 1 million 920 thousand Dollars,

The aircraft with registration code TC-TKL/1011, produced in 1969, is valued at 1 million 800 thousand Dollars,

The aircraft with registration code TC-TKJ/1007, produced in 1971, is valued at 2 million 480 thousand Dollars, totaling 37 million 685 thousand Dollars (excluding VAT)."

The expert report regarding the sale on UYAP noted that 3 of the 8 aircraft (TC-TKZ/1076-1983, TC-TKT/1097-1987, and TC-TKM/1027-1969) require no maintenance or expenses and are in operational condition. While the estimated price requested for TC-TKZ/1076-1983 is 6 million 425 thousand dollars, the estimated sale price for TC-TKT/1097-1987 is 7 million 810 thousand dollars. Those who wish to participate in the auction by placing bids electronically are required to provide a deposit of 145 million 765 thousand TL.

The auction announcement for the sale stated, "It is required that the bid amount must not be less than the total estimated value of the goods, which is 37 million 685 thousand Dollars as of the date of sale, in its Turkish Lira equivalent; and if other claims with priority over the creditor requesting the sale are secured by those goods, the bid must exceed the sum of such priority claims, and furthermore, must exceed the costs of conversion to cash and distribution of funds. Otherwise, the request for sale shall be dismissed."

"THESE AIRCRAFT ARE SCRAP, THEY CANNOT FLY"

The then-Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Bekir Pakdemirli, had stated in response to criticisms regarding the non-use of THK aircraft in firefighting: "We have no problem with the THK. There is a problem with these aircraft. This aircraft is not capable of flying. Even if it flies, it is not capable of providing performance. There are still statements being made in the style of 'let's use aircraft from the 1960s like an antique shop.' We have no problem with the THK, and we never will. The problem is with the aircraft in its possession; it is not capable of flying, and even if it did, it is not capable of providing performance. These aircraft are scrap, they cannot fly. Whoever wants to fly, let them fly with these. My organization does not want to fly with these, period." In another statement, Pakdemirli had said, "You know how it was in Vizontele, they open the hood and there is no engine, well, it's like that."

In a statement made by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, it was said: "The aircraft discussed in the public eye are CL-215 type aircraft belonging to the THK that possess old technology. Due to the fuel used by these old-type, piston-engine aircraft, supply problems are frequently encountered. Since these aircraft cannot be operated effectively and efficiently in fires, they create a vulnerability in responding to fires."