TR Air Forces|News & Discussion

[mehmed beg]

Or maybe all of this saga is to milk as much money as possible? Nevertheless, quantity is quality in its own right.

 

[Strong AI]

Still don't know what that retrofit entails.

9’uncu A400M retrofiti Kayseri’de tamamlandı – Tolga Özbek

tolgaozbek.com

9th A400M retrofit completed in Kayseri

According to information provided by the Millî Savunma Bakanlığı (Ministry of National Defense), the retrofit work on the 9th A400M aircraft — carried out by the 2nd Air Maintenance Factory Directorate under ASFAT — has been completed, and the aircraft was delivered to the Air Force on 21 November.

Currently, there are 10 A400M-type military transport aircraft in the inventory of the Türk Hava Kuvvetleri (Turkish Air Force).

Why retrofit is being done​

“Retrofit” means integrating new technologies into existing aircraft, updating systems, and increasing performance.

For A400Ms, this process began under a contract signed in 2019 between Airbus and ASFAT.

• Capability upgrade and operational effectiveness: Early-delivered A400Ms are brought up to the standard level of the last aircraft under the program. This modernization includes avionics, software, and structural components.
• For example, the upgrades add features such as simultaneous parachute jumps from paratrooper doors, autopilot use at low altitude, increased cargo-hold storage capacity, and capacity for the ceiling crane to operate at maximum load.

These improvements increase the aircraft’s efficiency for tactical and strategic missions — from humanitarian operations and evacuations to military missions and disaster relief.

• Safety and protection against threats: Especially due to Turkey’s geographic position, national systems such as the DIRCM (Directed Infrared Countermeasures) system are integrated into the aircraft. This system protects against MANPADS (shoulder-launched missiles).
• Retrofit also fixes structural issues identified in early Airbus models (e.g. cracks in alloy components), thereby extending the fleet’s service life.
• Economic and strategic benefits: Retrofit reduces dependency on foreign maintenance services and saves foreign currency. The upgrade — which worldwide is done in only 4 centers (including Airbus facilities in Spain and Germany) — is carried out in Turkey, adding economic value domestically.

Agreement with Airbus signed in 2024​

With a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between ASFAT and Airbus in 2024, Kayseri has gained the potential to offer retrofit services to other A400M-using countries (France, Germany, the UK etc.).

These efforts pave the way for future upgrades — for example raising the A400M’s load capacity from 37 tons to 40 tons. Ultimately, retrofit is not just maintenance, but a way to prepare the aircraft for new-generation missions (electronic warfare, UAV carrier, firefighting) as well.

Kayseri is the only center outside Europe where A400M retrofit is performed. The 2nd Air Maintenance Factory Directorate — part of the 12th Air Transport Main Base Command — under ASFAT conducts these operations.

 

[Ripley]

definitly we would hear it was just my wishful thinking....

Bro, it seems that your wish came true!

9’uncu A400M retrofiti Kayseri’de tamamlandı – Tolga Özbek

tolgaozbek.com

9th A400M retrofit completed in Kayseri

According to information provided by the Millî Savunma Bakanlığı (Ministry of National Defense), the retrofit work on the 9th A400M aircraft — carried out by the 2nd Air Maintenance Factory Directorate under ASFAT — has been completed, and the aircraft was delivered to the Air Force on 21 November.

Currently, there are 10 A400M-type military transport aircraft in the inventory of the Türk Hava Kuvvetleri (Turkish Air Force).

Why retrofit is being done​

“Retrofit” means integrating new technologies into existing aircraft, updating systems, and increasing performance.

For A400Ms, this process began under a contract signed in 2019 between Airbus and ASFAT.

• Capability upgrade and operational effectiveness: Early-delivered A400Ms are brought up to the standard level of the last aircraft under the program. This modernization includes avionics, software, and structural components.
• For example, the upgrades add features such as simultaneous parachute jumps from paratrooper doors, autopilot use at low altitude, increased cargo-hold storage capacity, and capacity for the ceiling crane to operate at maximum load.

These improvements increase the aircraft’s efficiency for tactical and strategic missions — from humanitarian operations and evacuations to military missions and disaster relief.

• Safety and protection against threats: Especially due to Turkey’s geographic position, national systems such as the DIRCM (Directed Infrared Countermeasures) system are integrated into the aircraft. This system protects against MANPADS (shoulder-launched missiles).
• Retrofit also fixes structural issues identified in early Airbus models (e.g. cracks in alloy components), thereby extending the fleet’s service life.
• Economic and strategic benefits: Retrofit reduces dependency on foreign maintenance services and saves foreign currency. The upgrade — which worldwide is done in only 4 centers (including Airbus facilities in Spain and Germany) — is carried out in Turkey, adding economic value domestically.

Agreement with Airbus signed in 2024​

With a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between ASFAT and Airbus in 2024, Kayseri has gained the potential to offer retrofit services to other A400M-using countries (France, Germany, the UK etc.).

These efforts pave the way for future upgrades — for example raising the A400M’s load capacity from 37 tons to 40 tons. Ultimately, retrofit is not just maintenance, but a way to prepare the aircraft for new-generation missions (electronic warfare, UAV carrier, firefighting) as well.

Kayseri is the only center outside Europe where A400M retrofit is performed. The 2nd Air Maintenance Factory Directorate — part of the 12th Air Transport Main Base Command — under ASFAT conducts these operations.

 

[Quasar]

Bro, it seems that your wish came true!

great news indeed! As we all know Germans picked Elbit Systems DIRCM for 23 A400M in their retrofit , who knows we may offer an ASELSAN alternative for A400M users..... guess another wishful thinking ... not likely but plausable one in current context

 

[Sanchez]

• Safety and protection against threats: Especially due to Turkey’s geographic position, national systems such as the DIRCM (Directed Infrared Countermeasures) system are integrated into the aircraft. This system protects against MANPADS (shoulder-launched missiles).

Doubt it. Retrofit has been going on for the last 2 years, with first 8 aircraft already being retrofitted over the time. We haven't seen any DIRCM units on any of the aircraft. And whose DIRCM would we use anyway? Yıldırım is not ready.

Made a check on twitter, saw this chain.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1994117719143403620

What SOC 3 will entail:

Airbus Eyes Next A400M Capability Enhancement Package | Aviation Week Network

Airbus is in talks with some A400M users to define the next round of capability enhancements as the military airlifter program looks to expand its mission capabilities.

aviationweek.com

So maybe DIRCM in the future block 1, but not yet.

 

[Quasar]

Doubt it. Retrofit has been going on for the last 2 years, with first 8 aircraft already being retrofitted over the time. We haven't seen any DIRCM units on any of the aircraft. And whose DIRCM would we use anyway? Yıldırım is not ready.

Made a check on twitter, saw this chain.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1994117719143403620

What SOC 3 will entail:

Airbus Eyes Next A400M Capability Enhancement Package | Aviation Week Network

Airbus is in talks with some A400M users to define the next round of capability enhancements as the military airlifter program looks to expand its mission capabilities.

aviationweek.com

So maybe DIRCM in the future block 1, but not yet.

quite intersting article you shared


''Airbus also wants to install its Aircraft Links Integration Management System as a link server tool.

The system also is part of an ambition to turn the A400M into a UAS mother ship or missile launch system. Airbus already has demonstrated the ability to deploy a UAS from the airlifter and has plans to deploy and control up to 36 medium-sized air vehicles with about 500 km (310 mi.) range and different payloads. That also means adding mission control stations on the platforms,''