400 equation in the air, why are we buying Eurofighter?

//

Lerato Khumalo

While the critical threshold for the purchase of 40 Eurofighter warplanes for the Turkish Air Force has been exceeded, all eyes are on whether these planes will be “necessary and sufficient”. While Germany, which has been blocking the sale of Eurofighter for a long time, approved the start of technical negotiations, it is claimed that experts from England, Italy, Spain and Germany, which form the Eurofighter consortium, came to Turkey and started negotiations. On the other hand, according to the information coming from the backstage, after mutual negotiations and agreement, with Germany’s approval of the sale, Turkey will acquire 24 Eurofighter warplanes in the first stage. This number will increase to 40 in a few years. With the procurement of Eurofighter warplanes, aircraft with Active Phased Array Radar (AESA) will be included in the Turkish Air Force inventory for the first time. This radar system makes it difficult for the warplane to be detected by enemy radars.

Dr. Hüseyin Çok: “Experienced jet pilots become capable of using Eurofighter in 7 months, and officers who have just started flying in 10 months.”

THE MAIN ACTOR IS BRITISH

Retired Air Pilot Brigadier General Dr. told Haberglobal.com.tr about the Eurofighter purchase. Hüseyin Çok stated that the actor behind the scenes is England, not Germany, and said, “The British want to keep their relations with Turkey close and alive in order to become a more effective global power in the Middle East. The defense industry is also a tool in relations and policies between countries. The reason why Britain is insistent on Eurofighter is to improve relations with Türkiye and strengthen its global dominance through the message of ‘we will not leave you alone.’ he said.

NEED FOR 400 AIRPLANES

Stating that the Air Force needs Eurofighter, Retired Air Pilot Brigadier General Dr. While pointing out that a total of 400 modern warplanes are required in the inventory for strategic security, he made the following determinations: “Turkey has approximately 240 F-16s. According to the Air Force plan, 30 F-35s will be purchased in the first phase as of 2019, and the next 11 years will be 30 F-35s.” A total of 100 aircraft were planned to be purchased in the process, but the USA prevented it. “Since it will take 5 years for the National Combat aircraft to enter the inventory, the purchase of Eurofighter is the right choice for the interim period that will last until 2030.”

‘F-16 VIPER’ MYSTERY

“The Eurofighter that Turkey aims to supply is the Eurofighter 3 model, which is a sub-model of the most current configuration, Tranche 4. At this point, the role of TAI is important. In the sales agreement, the integration of some local and national systems into Eurofighter and the freedom to use software and ammunition should also be provided. “In the first stage, instructor pilots will receive flight training and then they will train our pilots.”

“WE CANNOT BUY A RUSSIAN PLANE”

“It is not possible for Turkey to purchase aircraft from Russia and China. All military airports and systems must be renewed for aircraft to be purchased from these countries. Eurofighter is an aircraft used in western standards and in accordance with the NATO concept. We are purchasing an aircraft suitable for the personnel and systems we have. F-35 Those who call ‘bad’ say the same thing about Eurofighter; there will be no problems with the Eurofighter’s fuselage, engine and main flight systems. If parts for the avionic systems are stocked, flight operation planning will not be disrupted. The cost of one plane is pronounced as 120 million dollars. “Unfortunately, while the manufacturing countries sell aircraft to Israel at much cheaper prices, the situation changes when it comes to us.”

400 equation in the air, why are we buying Eurofighter? - Picture: 2
Security and strategy experts agree that the domestic aircraft Kaan should be included in the inventory as soon as possible.

WHY ARE THEY HESITANT?

Coşkun Başbuğ (Retired Intelligence Colonel)

“If the aircraft we will purchase is Tranche 4, the most current configuration of the Eurofighter Typhoon, this is positive. The aircraft we will purchase must be sent immediately. If there is a delayed delivery or a sub-model will be purchased We have to wait for ‘Kaan’ to enter the inventory. We need to focus on our national aircraft without wasting time. ” he said.

“We need to wait for the US election”

A retired staff officer from the Air Force stated that the priority should be the modernization of the existing F-16s and the national aircraft Kaan.Eurofighter’s activity rates should be carefully considered. Our number of pilots and training period should also be taken into consideration. There is a serious cost. I consider it unfair to compare our military power with Greece. Greece is a country behind us in the fourth segment. “Waiting for the US elections is a better strategy,” he said.

(email protected)