Air-Force Turkey asks U.S. to buy 40 F-16 jets to upgrade Air Force

[Bogeyman]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1454218129756680194

WTF?

I confirmed the news to my engineer friend at TAI. The engineer responsible for Özgür modernization was included in the team that went to Georgia.

 

[Cypro]

What kind of joke is this.. is it offset or something? Poor Georgia gets TB2s and Turkey gets Junk-25.. Why not Hurkus-C! Why not something like A130.. why not concentrate on Hurjet CAS

 

[Kartal1]

I confirmed the news to my engineer friend at TAI. The engineer responsible for Özgür modernization was included in the team that went to Georgia.

Brother are you really sure?!?! If this is true it is as absurd as it sounds. As I stated in another thread this exact Twitter source is known for his unreliable information. I hope there is some kind of mistake.

 

[Bogeyman]

I confirmed the news to my engineer friend at TAI. The engineer responsible for Özgür modernization was included in the team that went to Georgia.

It is said that the purchase may take place for Azerbaijan rather than Turkey. It could also be a modernization job.

 

[BordoEnes]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1454218129756680194

WTF?

Do not believe anything this guys says. He is an absolutely atrocious source without the slightest bit of credibility. I would wait for more official channels to drop the news.

 

[Kartal1]

What kind of joke is this.. is it offset or something? Poor Georgia gets TB2s and Turkey gets Junk-25.. Why not Hurkus-C! Why not something like A130.. why not concentrate on Hurjet CAS

On the first place I clearly don't get a CAS purchase while we still have a potent F-16 fleet and hundreds of UCAVs that are able to carry smart munition types from A to Z.

It is said that the purchase may take place for Azerbaijan rather than Turkey. It could also be a modernization job.

This sounds more logical to me. Maybe joint modernization effort between Georgia and Turkey for the Azerbaijani Air Forces.

 

[TheInsider]

Su-25 is a great aircraft for CAS duty. It is armored like A-10 and it is optimized for subsonic flight envelopes. It is basically a Russian A-10 with jet engines. If it can be upgraded by Ukrainian engines, Turkish avionics, and Turkish weapons package it will be a hell of a CAS bomber(4500kg weapon load). CAS aircraft are in huge demand around the world as proxy fights are spreading like a wildfire. We can sell Su-25TR for something like 20-30 million $ and make a good profit from it. We can even turn it into an unmanned or optionally manned aircraft.

 

[Spook]

Su-25 is a great aircraft for CAS duty. It is armored like A-10 and it is optimized for subsonic flight envelopes. It is basically a Russian A-10 with jet engines. If it can be upgraded by Ukrainian engines, Turkish avionics, and Turkish weapons package it will be a hell of a CAS bomber(4500kg weapon load). CAS aircraft are in huge demand around the world as proxy fights are spreading like a wildfire. We can sell Su-25TR for something like 20-30 million $ and make a good profit from it. We can even turn it into an unmanned or optionally manned aircraft.

There is the potential Russian origin aircraft modernization market. If I was operating Su-25 and there was a affordable modernization package that allows modern weapon delivery, such as smart munitions that would be pretty lucrative. Would bring competition against Elbit Systems. If this is a joint-program, we could explore improving logistics, training etc, lease-models for countries.

 

[BordoEnes]

Su-25 is a great aircraft for CAS duty. It is armored like A-10 and it is optimized for subsonic flight envelopes. It is basically a Russian A-10 with jet engines. If it can be upgraded by Ukrainian engines, Turkish avionics, and Turkish weapons package it will be a hell of a CAS bomber(4500kg weapon load). CAS aircraft are in huge demand around the world as proxy fights are spreading like a wildfire. We can sell Su-25TR for something like 20-30 million $ and make a good profit from it. We can even turn it into an unmanned or optionally manned aircraft.

Is there any truth to this news Mr. Insider? I would actually very much welcome a dedicated CAS aircrafts, though I think we expected it to come in the form of Hurkus-C.

 

[TheInsider]

This is Elbit modenization for Su-25. Su-25KM

 

[TheInsider]

Is there any truth to this news Mr. Insider? I would actually very much welcome a dedicated CAS aircrafts, though I think we expected it to come in the form of Hurkus-C.

I highly doubt the news. I don't think the Turkish airforce will purchase the Su-25. But we should indeed cooperate with Georgia on this and market a modernized Su-25TR together. IMHO Hürkuş-C CAS is dead with the introduction of UAVs.
Hürjet is not armored and is not optimized for subsonic CAS flight. It is a supersonic trainer jet with CAS capability. Su-25 can fly at low and high speed with a full load of 4500kg of bombs and it is armored against ground fire. F-16s can fly CAS sorties if need be but will never be as effective as an A-10. We used F-16s for CAS duties in the 90s with mediocre results. We can offer Su-25TR as a modernization package or sell it to poor countries that need dedicated CAS planes to fight insurgencies.

 

[TheInsider]

SU-25 users;
Belarus 70 ( Might be interested in upgrading some of that big fleet but too much Russian pressure so it is unlikely)
Ukraine 50 (Would love to get those upgraded especially if it involves Ukrainian engines)
Georgia 2-10(Might be interested in buying more)
Armenia 10 (We can't do business with them unless a lot happens in a positive way)
Kazakhstan 20 ( possible upgrade deal)
Uzbekistan 10 (possible upgrade deal)
Azerbaijan 10 (possible upgrade deal and might be interested in buying more in need of quality CAS aircraft)
Iran 10 (not a realistic target for business)
Eritrea 5-6 (might be interested in a possible upgrade package and a small purchase deal)
Ethiopia 4 (might be interested in buying more and upgrading the existing aircraft)
Congo 10 (possible target for an upgrade package)
Angola 15(possible target for an upgrade package)
Peru 20 (possible target for an upgrade package)
North Korea 30 (Well LoL)

There is definitely a market for Su-25 purchase and modernization.

 

[Merzifonlu]

It would actually make a lot of sense. What missions do we use F-16s for? For the aerial bombardment&CAS and the protection of our airspace. We plan to transfer these tasks that I understand to 3 different platforms. Akıncı&MIUS-B for bombardment, modernized SU-25 for CAS and Akıncı&MIUS-A for the protection of our airspace.

To manage this entire drone fleet, a special Akıncı and/or MIUS model may be required, carrying two weapons officers (NOT pilot but weapon officer) and communication/surveillance equipment as payload. Thus, we will have a unique air power concept in the world.

If this concept of air power that I have mentioned is realized, the nature of relations between Turkey and USA will change irreversibly. Because the foundation of relations between Turkey and USA is shaped by the partnership in the F-16 project. Trade relations actually matter little.

 

[Nilgiri]

If this concept of air power that I have mentioned is realized, the nature of relations between Turkey and USA will change irreversibly. Because the foundation of relations between Turkey and USA is shaped by the partnership in the F-16 project. Trade relations actually matter little.

Well IMO, it is something more broader than just air power.

In the modern era, there has been noticeably one major power that has demonstrably been the largest factor for the decline and eventual end of the Ottoman era....by series of wars and warfare it imposed on the Turks.

It made decision making fairly straightforward for Turkish republic which side to join in the post-WW2 environment.

Now you will have new situations unfold with partners and provisioners in the larger alliance, but their exacted toll on you versus another frenemy/foe must be seen in its proper timeframe (IMO).

 

[TheInsider]

Mius-A is mostly for air to ground missions with AL-25TLT engines. It is high subsonic and it will have A-A combat capability.
Mius-B is a multirole UCAV with stronger AL-322F engines that will give it supersonic flight ability. It will be capable of performing high-performance A-A combat
Akıncı-A 2x450HP is for air to ground and anti-ship missions with SOM-J
Akıncı-B 2x750HP will also be able to do air patrol(with Its AESA+A-A missile combination) in addition to air to ground/anti-ship missions and can act as a mini AWACS with Aselsan AESA. It lacks the real kinematic capability to be effective in A-A combat.
Akıncı-C 2x225HP will be used for recon&surveillance and intelligence gathering.
Aksungur will be used for maritime patrol, recon&surveillance, intelligence gathering, air to ground, anti-ship, and ASW missions.

 

[Merzifonlu]

Well IMO, it is something more broader than just air power.

I agree.

That's why I said it changes irreversibly. Because when you eliminate the F-16 project, there is nothing left to talk about jointly between Turkey and USA. Our interests are completely separated.

And most importantly, when we bombed PKK terrorists, shameless and systematic liars of the Western Media, "Turkey bombed the Kurds." says! A West with such an attitude is not our friend, on the contrary, it is an open enemy.

Without the purchase of the F-16, no one can save Turkey-US relations.

 

[Nutuk]

Although I do not believe the twitter speculations about Su-25, I have read that there is also a carrier version of the Su-25.

Than I suddenly started to think: What if we may consider the carrier variant? (Just wild thinking)



Don't take it too serious but like thinking out of the box, or free thinking for the sake of it:

What if we can have the airframes be built at the Georgian factory, have agreement with the Russians to purchase their R13 engines, do all the avionics at TAI. Install also automated landing equipment (like done with drones) on to it and have a carrier version subsonic fighter jet out of it.


A) the design and engines are already proven
B) Avionics of or a variant of the Hurjet avionics can maybe be applied





Is it too wild thinking?

 

[Nameless]

We have attack helicopters for close air support but maybe they want something that is faster and more protected

 

[Combat-Master]

RTE- gib Monee
POTUS -no gib Monee, yu falconi 16
RTE- Okee
POTUS -
RTE-

 

[Cypro]

It is said that the purchase may take place for Azerbaijan rather than Turkey. It could also be a modernization job.

Getting more logical.. But I would not trust 60 year old guys to build an airframe. Lets purchase the factory, modernize and make it TAI Georgia