TR Air Forces|News & Discussion

[Khagan1923]

I see a lot of greek/greece paid trolls lose their minds recently on social media concerning CAATSA and F-35. Usually this means something is coming and they think they can put pressure on the US with their little trolls on social media.

Let's wait and see.

 

[Sanchez]

Then people ask why the command is begging for new fighters. It's untenable with these logged flighthours and this many aircraft now all getting older. All the respect in the world to the ground crews, they undertake herculean tasks every day.

"According to the statement made by our Minister, in 2025, the Air Force conducted 75,647 sorties and flew 120,649 hours. This means that on average, we conducted 216 sorties and flew 345 hours every day. I don't think there is another country in NATO or neighboring countries that has reached these figures with this inventory."

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/2002733523770151363

 

[YeşilVatan]

From Grok:

The United States Air Force executes approximately 1.1 million flight hours annually through its Flying Hour Program, as budgeted in recent fiscal years (including FY2025 requests for around 1.09–1.1 million hours to support training, operations, and readiness across fighters, bombers, transports, tankers, and other aircraft in active, Reserve, and Air National Guard components). A precise aggregate total for annual sorties—individual aircraft takeoffs and missions—is not publicly reported fleet-wide, but given varying sortie durations (typically 1–2 hours for fighters and longer for bombers or tankers), this equates to a rough estimate of 550,000 to 730,000 sorties per year, with actual figures influenced by operational demands, maintenance availability, and budget execution.

The French Air and Space Force (Armée de l’air et de l’espace) executes approximately 170,000 flight hours annually, according to recent official data, covering training, operations, and missions across its entire fleet (fighters, transports, tankers, helicopters, and other aircraft). A precise aggregate total for annual sorties—individual aircraft takeoffs and missions—is not publicly reported fleet-wide, but given varying sortie durations (often 1–2 hours for fighters and longer for transports or tankers), this corresponds to a rough estimate of 85,000 to 120,000 sorties per year, with variations depending on operational demands, technical availability, and budget execution.

It seems we are not that ahead according to Grok. But I heard from serious analysts that our flight hours are monstrous. I truly wonder why data doesn't reflect that.

 

[Sanchez]

From Grok:

The United States Air Force executes approximately 1.1 million flight hours annually through its Flying Hour Program, as budgeted in recent fiscal years (including FY2025 requests for around 1.09–1.1 million hours to support training, operations, and readiness across fighters, bombers, transports, tankers, and other aircraft in active, Reserve, and Air National Guard components). A precise aggregate total for annual sorties—individual aircraft takeoffs and missions—is not publicly reported fleet-wide, but given varying sortie durations (typically 1–2 hours for fighters and longer for bombers or tankers), this equates to a rough estimate of 550,000 to 730,000 sorties per year, with actual figures influenced by operational demands, maintenance availability, and budget execution.

The French Air and Space Force (Armée de l’air et de l’espace) executes approximately 170,000 flight hours annually, according to recent official data, covering training, operations, and missions across its entire fleet (fighters, transports, tankers, helicopters, and other aircraft). A precise aggregate total for annual sorties—individual aircraft takeoffs and missions—is not publicly reported fleet-wide, but given varying sortie durations (often 1–2 hours for fighters and longer for transports or tankers), this corresponds to a rough estimate of 85,000 to 120,000 sorties per year, with variations depending on operational demands, technical availability, and budget execution.

It seems we are not that ahead according to Grok. But I heard from serious analysts that our flight hours are monstrous. I truly wonder why data doesn't reflect that.

USAF is huge in size, about 10 times that of TurAF, which of course doesn't include the navy and corps.

FAF undertakes missions from continental Europe to Indian Ocean to Guyana to Sahel with their huge logistics fleet. These are already the first and third biggest air forces in NATO.

 

[Sanchez]

Özbek claims "per official sources", Turkey will pay 740 million USD for the 12 aircraft. Only source I can find re that figure is the defencesecurityasia article from last year. And that site's credibility can only be called dubious.

Turkiye Acquires 12 Used C-130J Transport Aircraft from RAF - Defence Security Asia

Turkiye is reportedly set to acquire 12 second-hand C-130J transport aircraft from the Royal Air Force (RAF), which have been in storage since their retirement last year, in a move to enhance its tactical airlift capabilities.

defencesecurityasia.com

I didn't see any actual official sources, definitely no official remarks. Take that number with a huge grain of salt. They are of course not going to be on pennies but 61 mil a pop is about 10 mil more than I expect.

Turns out this claim is true but it is the total price, including Marshall's workshare:

"These deals are also complemented by the export and sale of 12 C-130 aircraft to Türkiye at a combined value to UK defence and Marshall Aerospace Group of over £550M – safeguarding 1,400 skilled jobs in Cambridge"

2025 sees highest British defence exports since records began in huge boost to workers and companies

The UK has seen the highest value of defence exports in 2025 since records began

www.gov.uk

It includes the purchase of 12 aircraft, wingbox replacement at Marshall and other servicing, as well as the training and systems to enable in house MRO as per Marshall's own statement:

Marshall Aerospace secures C-130J support contract with Turkish Ministry of National Defence​

The Turkish Ministry of National Defence has awarded Marshall Aerospace a major contract to support its fleet of newly-acquired Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules aircraft.

The multi-year agreement covers entry into service and sustainment for all 12 aircraft to be operated by the Turkish Air Force, including scheduled maintenance, spares and tooling.

Marshall will also provide training to enable the customer to build up an indigenous capability on the C-130J platform....

In addition to the scheduled maintenance, Marshall will have completed centre wing box replacements on each of the 12 airframes prior to the aircraft entering into service with the Turkish Air Force.

Marshall Aerospace secures C-130J support contract with Turkish Ministry of National Defence - Marshall Group

The Turkish Ministry of National Defence has awarded Marshall Aerospace a major contract to support its fleet of newly-acquired Lockheed Martin C-130J Super …

marshallgroup.com

As this is the total figure for everything, I'm pretty happy with it. Good deal. Hopefully we now found a good use for that mostly empty ASFAT hangar in Kayseri; might even eat a bit from Marshall's own work re C-130Js in the future.

 

[Strong AI]

Within the scope of the T-70 General Purpose Helicopter Project, the acceptance activities for the seventh helicopter have been completed, and it joined the inventory of the 3rd Main Jet Base Command under our Air Force Command on December 24, 2025.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/2004513702457090423

 

[Sanchez]

Nice to see 162 out there after so many years. From yesterday's joint training with 161st.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/2020773734303277205

 

[IC3M@N FX]

Balıkesir'de F-16 düştü: Pilot hayatını kaybetti

Pilotun da hayatını kaybettiği kazayla alakalı validen açıklama geldi.

tr.euronews.com

It was determined that an F-16 fighter jet belonging to the Balıkesir 9th Main Jet Base Command crashed near the Naipli section of the İzmir-İstanbul motorway shortly after take-off.

It was announced that Air Force Major İbrahim Bolat was killed in the crash. The body of the deceased pilot was taken to the Forensic Medicine Institute.

Governor İsmail Ustaoğlu stated on his social media account, "Our F-16 aircraft belonging to the Balıkesir 9th Main Jet Base Command fleet crashed at around 00:50 during a mission flight, and one of our pilots was martyred. I wish Allah's mercy upon our martyr and condolences to his relatives.
The Ministry of National Defence also issued a statement on the matter.

'Radio contact and tracking information was lost at 00:56 with one of our F-16 aircraft that took off from the 9th Main Jet Base Command in Balıkesir. As a result of the search and rescue operations that were immediately launched, it was determined that our aircraft had crashed and the wreckage of our aircraft was located. Our pilot was martyred. The cause of the accident will be determined as a result of the investigations to be conducted by the accident investigation team. We wish Allah's mercy upon our martyred pilot, and we offer our condolences to his family, our Turkish Armed Forces and our noble nation."

Investigation launched
The Balıkesir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has launched an investigation into the accident. It was reported that a chief public prosecutor, a deputy chief public prosecutor and two prosecutors are conducting a comprehensive investigation at the scene of the incident.

Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek said, "Our Balıkesir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has launched an investigation into the incident, and our Chief Public Prosecutor, Deputy Chief Public Prosecutor and two public prosecutors have arrived at the scene of the accident."

Mekanın cennet olsun
My condolences for the Turkish Airforce and the Family from the Pilot, but I don't understand why he didn't use the ejection seat. I hope they can determine what went wrong using the black box.

 

[Tonyukuk]

Balıkesir'de F-16 düştü: Pilot hayatını kaybetti

Pilotun da hayatını kaybettiği kazayla alakalı validen açıklama geldi.

tr.euronews.com

Mekanın cennet olsun
My condolences for the Turkish Airforce and the Family from the Pilot, but I don't understand why he didn't use the ejection seat. I hope they can determine what went wrong using the black box.

Has there been a sharp increase in military aviation crashes recently?

This crash could've been caused by anything, but the C-130 crash last year was 100% preventable, I'm somewhat concerned there's maintaince deficiencies.

 

[uçuyorum]

Has there been a sharp increase in military aviation crashes recently?

This crash could've been caused by anything, but the C-130 crash last year was 100% preventable, I'm somewhat concerned there's maintaince deficiencies.

Sad thing is crashes happen but why no ejection? Maybe they tried to save the plane until last moment...

 

[AlperTunga]

Has there been a sharp increase in military aviation crashes recently?

This crash could've been caused by anything, but the C-130 crash last year was 100% preventable, I'm somewhat concerned there's maintaince deficiencies.

All these crashes that happened recently. Do we know the reasons? No. I am suspecting some traitors working for Mossad are in play here. We should scrutinize the maintenance workers.

 

[Saithan]

Old jets, probably why the heavy interest in EF. And why it's progressing so fast.

 

[Pokemonte13]

The last time an f16 crashed was like 8 years ago overall the crashes have gone down in the last decade biggest issue is the age the older the aircraft the higher the risk.