TR Air Forces|News & Discussion

[Khagan1923]

Fidan on live, mentioned Qatari EF transfers going forward smoothly.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1989809543379849678

If we can and Qatar plays along we should get all 24 from Qatar honestly.

 

[Zafer]

If we can and Qatar plays along we should get all 24 from Qatar honestly.

And how do we pay it back, possibly with the Çelik Kubbe, as they need something to protect themselves and they can't wait for Kaan to come online.

 

[Huelague]

F-35 has some serious issues

US gov't admits F-35 is a failure

With some wonky, hard to decipher language, a recent GAO report concluded the beleaguered jet will never meet expectations

responsiblestatecraft.org

 

[Sanchez]

Within the scope of the A400M Retrofit Project, which is being carried out under ASFAT's main contracting, the retrofit activities of the 9th A400M Aircraft of our Turkish Air Force have been completed, and following the Test Flight and acceptance procedures, the Aircraft was delivered to the Turkish Air Force with «Zero Errors».

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1994053517217079531

Still don't know what that retrofit entails.

 

[Quasar]

Still don't know what that retrofit entails.

Directed InfraRed Counter-Measure?

or JUST

Retrofit upgrades enhance the aircraft’s capabilities, allowing for:

-Simultaneous parachute drops from the side doors,
-Low-altitude autopilot functionality,
-Increased cargo hold capacity,
-Maximum utilization of the overhead crane system.

Retrofit project and maintenance operations​

The A400M fleet undergoes two primary types of maintenance:

-Light Maintenance (CL): Conducted every two years by the 12th Air Transport Main Base Command.
-Heavy Maintenance (CH): Carried out every six years by the 2nd Air Maintenance Factory Directorate, making Türkiye the only non-Airbus facility performing these operations.


The retrofit program consists of four phases:

1. Dismantling
2. Implementation
3. Software Installation and Assembly
4. Testing

All procedures comply with the European Military Aviation Regulation (EMAR-145) standards.

https://www.turkiyetoday.com/turkiy...side-airbus-to-upgrade-a400m-aircraft-125813/

 

[Ripley]

Still don't know what that retrofit entails.

Since day one. One of the biggest mysteries of Turkish aviation industry.

Directed InfraRed Counter-Measure?

Wouldn’t it be a big self-defense feature? I mean, wouldn’t we hear something about it, a hint/rumor of a directed countermeasure capability? Just speculating you know.

 

[Quasar]

Since day one. One of the biggest mysteries of Turkish aviation industry.


Wouldn’t it be a big self-defense feature? I mean, wouldn’t we hear something about it, a hint/rumor of a directed countermeasure capability? Just speculating you know.

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

 

[Huelague]

F-35 has some serious issues

US gov't admits F-35 is a failure

With some wonky, hard to decipher language, a recent GAO report concluded the beleaguered jet will never meet expectations

responsiblestatecraft.org

@Yasar_TR ,why F-35 is not that perfect.

 

[Sanchez]

Directed InfraRed Counter-Measure?

Nope, no DIRCM on them.
-
By its nature it shouldn't be that big of an upgrade; it's not even called as such, but wish we had some info. Maybe a block increase, maybe software; just nothing.

 

[Yasar_TR]

@Yasar_TR ,why F-35 is not that perfect.

After a masterpiece like F22, one would think that the next plane would be even better and more potent. But even though the technology applied to the F35 was ahead of the F22, it did not result in a plane that would be that much better. In fact it turned out to be a let down in most part.

In English there is a saying: “Jack of all trades, master of none”

They tried to have 3 very distinctly different planes merged in to one. Then tried to include all the electronic bells and whistles to be present for all of them. And it had to be very stealthy.
A Jump-Jet, a carrier based jet and an all purpose fighter from the same base.

The main problem was they tried to make it cheap enough for everyone to buy, be potent enough to cover multi role, with a single engine playing the role of “F16 in place of F15”.

Also that powerful engine is just not working properly. It is pushing the technology to its limits. It‘s internals is too hot. For such a heavy jet they should have chosen a twin engine design. But that would have made it too expensive.

It is still a very good plane. Especially technologically. But has too many problems. Just too expensive to run and too complex with too long a down time.

 

[mehmed beg]

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

 

[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

Milli Savunma Bakanlığı tarafından verilen bilgiye göre retrofit işlemleri 2’nci Hava Bakım Fabrika Müdürlüğü tarafından tamamlanan 9’uncu A400M uçağı ise 21

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

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

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,''

 

[Zafer]

One can see the gravity of the event with the size of the entourage, an unprecedented crowd.

 

[Pokemonte13]

According to Barin Kayaoglu the Airforce is planning 400 manned fighter jets and 400 unmanned fighter jets in the 2040

 

[uçuyorum]

According to Barin Kayaoglu the Airforce is planning 400 manned fighter jets and 400 unmanned fighter jets in the 2040

That's stronger than russian air force

 

[Pokemonte13]

That's stronger than russian air force

depends on the jet mix but yes since russians still refuse to build a meaningful and multirole airforce

 

[TheInsider]

According to Barin Kayaoglu the Airforce is planning 400 manned fighter jets and 400 unmanned fighter jets in the 2040

True. I said this in the past, and I can confirm that. There will be ~240 KAANs, some F-16s, Eurofighters, and Hurjets.