Turkish official: Instead of plans for the F-35, we will have to focus on the modernization of F-16 fighters

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At this stage, the Turkish authorities have come to terms with the US sanctions, which withdrew Ankara from the joint program for the production of fifth-generation F-35 fighters. If some time ago the Turkish Ministry of Defense announced that they would raise the issue of the possible lifting of sanctions imposed by the United States for the purchase of the S-400 air defense system from Russia, now the military department has decided to go the other way.

Ismail Demir, head of the Turkish Defense Industry Department, who is under personal sanctions from Washington, said that instead of plans to receive F-35 fighters for the Turkish Air Force, the state has to focus on modernizing F-16 fighters. We are talking about the F-16 Block 30 aircraft.



According to Ismail Demir, the task is to increase the operational resource of these combat aircraft, which are in service with the country's Air Force. At the same time, it is planned to replace from 1,2 thousand to 1,5 thousand various parts and components.

Turkish military experts note that such plans by the Department of Defense Industry speak of a forced measure to preserve the F-16 as the main fighters of the Turkish Air Force. It is added that this may also indicate that Ankara lost faith in the possibility of persuading the United States to return it to the F-35 program.

For reference: as of 2020, there were at least 40 F-16 Block 30 different versions in the Turkish Air Force. In addition, the Turkish Air Force is in service with other modifications of the same fighter, including more than 150 F-16C Block 50 units. Turkey at one time transferred several of its F-16s to one of the airfields in Azerbaijan.
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    1. +5
      3 February 2021 12: 32
      Instead of plans to receive F-35 fighters for the Turkish Air Force, the state has to focus on modernizing F-16 fighters. We are talking about the F-16 Block 30 aircraft.

      well, right. There will definitely not be a deterioration in the combat capabilities of the Air Force, and the budget will save 40 percent
      1. +3
        3 February 2021 12: 43
        But what about the development of the Turkish 5th generation fighter TF-X? Erdogan threatened that TF-X will make its first flight in 2023. It seems like the British promised to help with the engines.





        5th generation Turkish fighter.

        Aka TF-X, aka Turkish Fighter Experimental, aka Turkish Experimental Fighter. This is a 5th generation fighter project being developed by the Turkish company Turkish Aerospace Industries. The cost of the program is approximately USD 10 billion.


        The design began back in 2010, when the Turkish Defense Industry Executive Committee instructed the military to create their own aircraft, which was to replace the American F-16 and fly along with the F-35. The first flight should take place in 2023, the centenary year of the Turkish Republic.

        https://zen.yandex.ru/media/id/5d9e1fc38d5b5f00b0d8dd8f/tureckii-samolet-5-pokoleniia-tfx-konkurent-su57-5edad26b1394a14a1cc527c2
        1. +4
          3 February 2021 13: 31
          they can't make a tank, but here they have a 5th generation plane.
      2. +2
        3 February 2021 12: 47
        The main task is to increase the design life from 8000 to 12000 hours. Also, these aircraft are equipped with new electronic warfare systems. This year it is planned to install the Turkish AFAR radar station.
        Apparently they decided to hold out until the start of production of the British-Turkish TF-X. They did not refuse the F-35, the money for them was not returned back.
        1. +4
          3 February 2021 12: 54
          ... Apparently they decided to hold out until the start of production of the British-Turkish TF-X. They did not refuse the F-35, the money for them was not returned back.

          More and more Turks are becoming similar in their behavior in terms of the development of aviation to the Indians.
          1. 0
            3 February 2021 13: 01
            I don't see anything in common. Now they have a line of F-4/5/16 fighters, the first 2 types will be finally written off and they will have TF-X and F-16/35. Everyone has their own tasks, there are no functional intersections.
            1. 0
              3 February 2021 13: 03
              Quote: OgnennyiKotik
              I don't see anything in common. Now they have a line of F-4/5/16 fighters, the first 2 types will be finally written off and they will have TF-X and F-16/35. Everyone has their own tasks, there are no functional intersections.

              Both TF-X and F-35 are 5th generation striker fighters.
        2. -2
          3 February 2021 13: 31
          and at what capacities will they make Turkish AFAR?
          1. +1
            3 February 2021 13: 39
            Quote: Dodikson
            and at what capacities will they make Turkish AFAR?


            Together with foreign manufacturers. The entire Turkish military-industrial complex is built on this.
            ... Avionics for TF-X are created by Turkish and foreign manufacturers. So, the Aselsan company is working on a promising radar with an AFAR built on the basis of gallium nitride. The same organization should create means of electronic intelligence, some control devices, etc. Foreign companies are involved in the development of avionics; purchase of ready-made components is possible.

            The future TF-X will have to take on the role of a fighter-bomber, which makes special demands on the nomenclature of weapons and sighting and navigation systems. It is expected that the aircraft will be able to transport various types of missiles and bombs in internal cargo compartments and on external sling - primarily, modern and promising guided weapons of Turkish and foreign design. In recent years, Turkey has introduced a number of aviation weapons, and at least most of them can be used on the TF-X.


            https://topwar.ru/159235-jeffektnaja-premera-i-neopredelennoe-buduschee-tureckogo-tf-x.html
            1. 0
              3 February 2021 13: 40
              I am aware of this, I mean that the Turkish AFAR will be the same Turkish as the Altai tank.
              1. 0
                4 February 2021 09: 43
                Well, until Turkey withdrew from NATO, they have such an opportunity. hi
      3. +5
        3 February 2021 13: 00
        And what is the statok of the resource of gliders? Where will the engines come from? It turns out a situation like a Banderland - to hell of aircraft, really combat-ready - not a damn thing. So, the perspectives are lousy and it pleases.
        1. +1
          3 February 2021 13: 13
          If something happens, the Turks can buy the Pakistani JF-17 THUNDER fighters. They build warships for Pakistan, and Pakistan for them fighters in case of need.
          1. mvg
            +3
            3 February 2021 13: 30
            They can take J-10C too. Nothing worse than the F-16 Bl 50. And the J-16D will fit into this money, and we can supply the Su-35S
            1. 0
              3 February 2021 16: 42
              They do not need anything from this. They have a HÜRJET combat training jet on their way. Analogue of the Korean T-50.

          2. +1
            3 February 2021 22: 56
            Will China allow it? The Chinese really do not like the fact that in Syria, in pro-Turkish gangs, Uighurs are fighting, because this is by no means a fact, and the airplane itself is so-so.
    2. +4
      3 February 2021 12: 40
      We started to think something in the world:
      By the way, the Finns here asked Airbus for an "optimal offer" regarding the purchase of Typhoon - you see, Eurofighter became the winner of the Finnish competition. And it looks like this is the first serious competition where the F-35 "flew".
      1. -1
        4 February 2021 01: 36
        Quote: Cowbra
        We started to think something in the world:
        By the way, the Finns here asked Airbus for an "optimal offer" regarding the purchase of Typhoon - you see, Eurofighter became the winner of the Finnish competition. And it looks like this is the first serious competition where the F-35 "flew".

        But there was a case, the Finns bought MiGs.
    3. +1
      3 February 2021 12: 54
      Ankara lost faith in the ability to convince the United States to return it to the F-35 program.
      In a word, the Americans showed that there are different "allies", but all without exception are obliged to fulfill the American will. So maybe having said A (having purchased the S-400) and pushed around, it is worth saying B (consider purchasing Russian aircraft) ...
      1. -2
        3 February 2021 13: 09
        Don't practice rake walking. Selling the Su-57 to the Turks is tantamount to selling the Su-57 to the United States, which will disassemble it into cogs overseas. We do not need a collective "feat" of the traitor Belenko (hijacked the MiG-25) to perform. The Turks are on their own and on occasion will betray and never blink an eye.
        . The Russian "ally" again framed the Russian military.

        The Russian-made Pantsir-S anti-aircraft missile and cannon system captured in Libya was handed over to American specialists by the Turkish military, and, according to analysts, apparently, with the direct participation of senior high-ranking officials of the United States and Turkey in these negotiations. One of the subjects of the "bargaining" was the sanctions, which, by an "unexpected" coincidence, were never introduced against Turkey, despite the decision.



        Due to the fact that the captured Pantsir-S air defense missile system was immediately transferred to the Turkish military, the forces of the Government of National Unity could not independently transfer this complex to the American military, and without Erdogan's permission, the aircraft with the American military would hardly have entered Libyan airspace at all , which indicates that Turkey took a direct part in the transfer of Russian military equipment to the American military.

        https://avia.pro/news/zahvachennyy-v-livii-rossiyskiy-zrpk-pancir-byl-peredan-ssha-erdoganom-v-obmen-na-otmenu
        1. +1
          4 February 2021 09: 48
          Don't compare hijacking a combat plane to selling an export version.
          When we resolve issues with the Sultan about Syria and Ukraine, it will be possible to talk about airplanes. IMHO. hi
    4. 0
      3 February 2021 13: 02
      So the Yankees and then spoil the sanctions, prohibit the service of American aircraft from Turkey.

      And then the question will directly arise, with whom is it more profitable to be friends?
      1. 0
        4 February 2021 10: 07
        So the Yankees and then spoil the sanctions, prohibit the service of American aircraft from Turkey.

        Egypt has already experienced this.
        As a result, I bought planes from us. hi
        Pakistan buys from China.
    5. 0
      3 February 2021 13: 27
      Turkish official: Instead of plans for the F-35, we will have to focus on the modernization of F-16 fighters

      Let them now wonder whether they were lucky or not?
      1. 0
        4 February 2021 10: 25
        Let them now wonder whether they were lucky or not?

        The main problem for the Turks is that the aircraft carrier was built, but there is no F-35B for it.
        Everything else is not critical. hi
        And how the Greeks are happy ..)))
    6. 0
      3 February 2021 13: 43
      And how you wanted the Turks, and eat the fish, and that the bones were not. laughing There was no need to purchase the S-400.
      1. -2
        3 February 2021 14: 01
        There is just a lot of noise from this S-400. He has not shown himself anywhere yet. It is in vain that the Turks spoiled relations with America because of him. It's not worth it
        1. +1
          3 February 2021 14: 09
          When the time comes for the S-400 to show itself, then it will be too late to talk about its acquisition. fool
          1. -1
            3 February 2021 14: 44
            This is in Russia, if anything, the C-400 can show itself, and I'm afraid in Turkey only two regiments will make it much more difficult if the Air Force starts to lag behind.
    7. 0
      3 February 2021 14: 42
      In fact, Turkish aviation will begin to lag behind the requirements of modern front-line combat. For some time, Block 50 will be able to perform the functions of workhorses, but nothing more. The Turks really shouldn't have ruined their relations with the Americans. Indeed, in terms of the F-16, they are largely dependent.
      1. +1
        3 February 2021 15: 44
        Let them make their TF-X and be happy. No F-35 will be needed.
        1. 0
          3 February 2021 17: 20
          Well, it will take 15 years ... and then start production again ...
    8. +1
      3 February 2021 15: 06
      laughing Let the Bulgarians with the Greeks - wassat Turkish news media published a material that reported that Greece was disappointed with the refusal of Russian President Vladimir Putin to attend an event in Athens dedicated to the 200th anniversary of the country's independence on March 25. laughing
    9. +1
      3 February 2021 15: 13
      Quote: OrangeBigg
      But what about the development of the Turkish 5th generation fighter TF-X? Erdogan threatened that TF-X will make its first flight in 2023. It seems like the British promised to help with the engines.





      5th generation Turkish fighter.

      Aka TF-X, aka Turkish Fighter Experimental, aka Turkish Experimental Fighter. This is a 5th generation fighter project being developed by the Turkish company Turkish Aerospace Industries. The cost of the program is approximately USD 10 billion.


      The design began back in 2010, when the Turkish Defense Industry Executive Committee instructed the military to create their own aircraft, which was to replace the American F-16 and fly along with the F-35. The first flight should take place in 2023, the centenary year of the Turkish Republic.

      https://zen.yandex.ru/media/id/5d9e1fc38d5b5f00b0d8dd8f/tureckii-samolet-5-pokoleniia-tfx-konkurent-su57-5edad26b1394a14a1cc527c2

      There would be a desire, brains, resources, they would have long ago kicked up.
    10. +2
      3 February 2021 15: 41
      For all Turkey's neighbors, the modernized F16 is enough. And with the Russian Federation and Israel, there is no need to fight in your right mind.
    11. 0
      3 February 2021 20: 18
      The technological and, most importantly, managerial backwardness of any country, in this case, Turkey, shows that inevitably follows the loss of territory. Let's see how Turkey acquired the S-400: Turkey has always wanted its own air defense / missile defense. Already since 2003, when they issued TK for long-range air defense. True, then they changed their minds and decided to move in small dashes. In 2008, the Turkish Low Altitude Air Defense Missile Systems program was launched. In 2013, the complex Hisar-A. Development of Hisar-B under the Turkish Midle Altitude Air Defense Missile Systems program began around 2010.

      In addition, the Turks wanted to buy a yuser Patriot - they were refused. In 2009, a tender was held where Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, Eurosam, Rosoboronexport and CPMIEC participated. In 2013, the Chinese won the tender. But yusers imposed. In 2015, the result of the tender was canceled and Turkey invited the Russian Federation to re-apply for the S-400. And in 2018, the contract for the supply of the S-400 was signed. The Turks, digging deeper with the development of air defense, realized how difficult it was. During all this time, they were able to give birth only at a short distance. And even then with the help of Eurosam. They need technology. They will be technology, huh)) laughing

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