The only thing we need for the Hurjet is an engine with a physical diameter under 90cm and a dry weight under 1200kg, that can generate around 100kN of emergency power with afterburner. To give an exact equivalent example, the F414-GE-39E developed by GE for Gripen. Everything else is ready or at the test level.
If the light attack platform being developed within the scope of the Hürjet project can be shaped around this class of engine, we will have a platform that can continue its development in the direction of whatever is needed, lets say electronic attack, node for drone wings, reco, light/naval attack jet etc., and whose operating costs and logistics system will be extremely advantageous.
Even with a limited payload, short-range and single-engine platform like Gripen; can respond to many needs. Arming the Hürjet with a one level more powerful engine will enable the emergence of a system that is a direct equivalent of the Gripen NG, which can be a very valuable solution in terms of the economy of an air force that also combats both asymmetric threats and facing very near distance threats but needs around / over 300 front line jets in terms of total fleet size.
I like your enthusiasm. I wish if it were that simple though. What you are suggesting entails substantial changes.
Hürjet was designed and built primarily as a trainer. As a secondary option it may be configured as a light attack aircraft. Due to these constraints, it’s maximum speed, g-force limits and to some extent, it’s payload capacity are lower than the Gripen, especially when compared to the E and F version.
The airframe of new Gripen is quite advanced. Even when it was powered by the F-404 engine it could achieve +9g turns, have 2 Mach top speed and have a higher MTOW. All thanks to the Delta wing construction. It is a true fighter jet that is very manoeuvrable with the canards. In E and F version, the Gripen is a very potent plane.
Hurjet can never be a Gripen, unless we make significant changes to it’s airframe. No engine can turn it in to a Gripen.
Yes, an engine like F414 will make substantial improvements to its MTOW, speed and overall performance. But it is, at the end of the day, still a Hurjet.
As they say in Turkish: “Even with a golden saddle a donkey is a donkey”.
But, still, your post has merits to think about. We can change the nose and fuselage to be stealthy, alter the shape of air inlets, introduce a delta wing and make the airframe more suitable for air combat and higher speed. Then that plane is not really Hurjet though.
In fact, then, the F414 will be the handicap for that plane. We will need 2 x TF12000 engines (8000lbf dry and 12000lbf wet thrust version of TF10000engine) to give us our stealth twin engined “lightish” fighter jet. When navalised, it would be the right plane for operation from our future carrier.