The war, which began with Israel’s air strikes against Iran, has once again revealed the strategic importance of air force and missile systems. Israel carries out target-oriented air operations with advanced F-35 and F-15 fleets; Iran responds to Israel with long -range missile systems. The new generation of war concept has made Türkiye’s current air power into curiosity. According to experts, Türkiye has achieved significant successes in the field of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV-SİHA) in the defense industry, but combat fleets need numerically and technologically serious supplements. According to experts, Türkiye must have at least 400 for an effective air force and 800 state -of -the -art fighter aircraft under ideal conditions. With the current inventory, both attack and defense; Aegean, Eastern Mediterranean, Syria line and possible new fronts of the difficulty of remaining the difficulty draws.
Are the F-16s old!
As of 2025, the Turkish Air Force’s inventory contains approximately 230–240 F-16. 153 of them are known as F-16C/V and 86 as dual-seat D model. However, a significant portion of these jets consisted of aircraft that was delivered in the early 2000s and underwent block 50+ modernization. Considering that even the most up-to-date F-16s in Türkiye is 13 years old, it is noteworthy that half of the air fleet remains below the technology called 4th generation. It is also underlined that the F-4s in the inventory have completed the operational life.
Pilot deficit
Another structural problem is the long -standing pilot deficit in the Turkish Air Force. FETÖ calipers after the staff erosion, the number of trained fighter pilots is known to withdraw. Currently, the minimum of 900 pilots should work within the TSK, this number can not be reached.
Logistics Power and Bases
While 12 main jet bases are actively operating in Turkey; Ankara Akıncı, İzmir Çiğli, Diyarbakır, Eskişehir, Malatya Erhaç, Kayseri Erkilet, Konya and Incirlik bases such as the basic poles of the command structure are among the basic poles. There are also special bases for unmanned aerial vehicles, tanker bases and areas allocated to missile systems. The Air Force inventory also includes 520 helicopters, 92 shipping and tanker planes. Platforms such as A400M, C-130 and CN-235 play an important role especially in cross-border logistics, while 4 E-7T Peace Eagle (AWACS) has strategic value in the command-control area.
Underground Shelter Need
It is known that the shelters (Shelter), where Turkish fighter planes are located on the ground, are resistant to bombs and serve at the NATO standard. However, it is emphasized that the shelters called Shelter provide limited protection against penetrating bombs, while experts emphasized that special bases and shelter systems are needed at strategic attacks at the air bases of Türkiye.
Ideal Number 800 Aircraft
Speaking to Haberglobal.com.tr, Trarasam Director, Retired Air Pilot Brigadier General Hüseyin is more than 400 in the Air Force, Ideally, 800 units 4.5 and 5th generation fighter aircraft said: “We have come a great distance in the field of UAV and Siha. We are waiting for Kaan with excitement, but the number of fighter aircraft we have is not enough. We live. Approximately 30 of the planes we have are at the Block 50+ level. Others block 40 or old modernized block 50s. In other words, even the most modern aircraft we have is 13 years old. ”
Balance should not be spoiled
“Israel has 272 fighter planes. 175 of them are F-16, 102 of them F-16I model and the Block 70 in the hands of the United States. In addition, there are 39 F-35 and numerous F-15. A plane like F-35 corresponds to 4 F-16. They have 2000 planes. “
It should be 100 billion dollars
“As of 2025, our total defense expense is around 20 billion dollars. This should increase to at least $ 100 billion. The protection of air bases is also very important. We must build systems under the ground against penetrating bombs. In 2012-2013, I prepared the concept of operations on this issue and presented it to the necessary authorities. However, not concrete steps have been taken to date.
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