While the importance of the Air Force with the Israeli-Iran War is once again revealed, Türkiye’s latest situation and initiatives in this field are a matter of curiosity. While Türkiye has approximately 240 F-16 fighter aircraft, it is noted that this number will be inadequate against global actors. As of 2019, in the first stage, 30 F-35, which plans a total of 100 F-35 purchases in the next 11-year period, was expelled from the F-35 production partnership in 2021. This development, which is considered as the last drop of the glass “, has led Türkiye to seek a new orientation not only in the military but also in strategic and diplomatic terms. On the one hand, while Türkiye attempted to modernize the existing F-16 fleet in its hands, on the other hand, it accelerated the fighter aircraft projects to be developed with national opportunities. In the light of recent wars and crises in the Middle East; The experts we asked for the roadmap for strengthening the Turkish Air Force have made very important warnings.
400 Modern Aircraft
Dr. Hüseyin more (retired Air Brigadier General)
Türkiye should modernize the F-16s with the Free-2 National Program as soon as possible, declare and accelerate the MMU Kaan project as a national defense technology mobilization and complete the F-16 or Eurofighter supply processes. Turkish Air Force; F-35 was betrayed by the US under the supply. The United States has released an obstacle to F-35 sales for known reasons since 2017. Worse, as of 2021, Turkey also removed Türkiye from the F-35 production partnership. Considering Türkiye’s strategic security needs and the threats around us, there must be at least 400 modern fighter planes in the inventory. “
‘F-16 VIER’
“However, at the point reached, although the US approved the F-16 sales package to Türkiye in 2024, there has not yet been a step towards the sale of the sale. The delivery of 40 aircraft will exceed 2030. As a result, the F-16 Viper Purchase process stands in front of us as an enigma. For this reason, it is vital that Eurofighter fighter planes participate in the Turkish Air Force Inventory. “
Must be domestic software
Türkiye will receive 40 from the Tranche 4, the most current configuration. sIn the firing agreement, some domestic and national systems should be integrated into Eurofihgter and the freedom of the use of software and ammunition should be provided. If the treaty is achieved, the teacher pilots will receive flight training in the first place, then they will train our pilots. “
No Russian and Chinese plane!
“It is not possible for Türkiye to buy airplanes from Russia and China. All military airports and systems should be renewed for planes from these countries. Eurofihgter is a plane suitable for staff and systems we have. Those who call F-35 ‘bad’, the same thing; He says for Eurofighter. Eurofighter’s body, engine and main flight systems are not a problem. If the piece is stocked for the euphoric systems, flight operations planning cannot be disrupted. “
“Are we late?”
Erdogan Karakuş (Retired Air Major General)
“We were late in the purchase of aircraft. If we wanted the block 70 F-16s in time, there would be no delay. The annual production of the factory is 48; We have fallen directly for 3 years. We are currently trying to improve missile systems. 48 KF-21 from Korea to take attempt to get attempted. We want Tranche 4 in Eurofighter, but deliveries do not happen before 3 years. “
“We should use it in the best way”
“Turkish Air Force for 60-70 years, the United States is wanted to be stumbled. Even though we have a deficit in the air power, we have to use what we have in the best way. The important thing is missile systems to be mounted on existing aircraft. “
“Let’s wait for Kaan”
Beyazıt Karataş (Retired Air Major General)
“As a result of the initiatives with the United States, the production and delivery stages of the processes will take time for the production and delivery stages of the processes for the purchase of new aircraft and the modernization of the current F-16 fleet. There are also initiatives for alternatives such as Eurofighter, but these aircraft do not seem realistic to be delivered to Türkiye before 3, 4 years.
It is not possible to buy
“The fact that Türkiye is a NATO member makes the purchase of fighter aircraft from China or Russia almost impossible. In existing geopolitical balances, it is not meaningful or possible to buy planes from Russia or China. “
(email protected)
