I said in the past that I don’t think this kind of venture was smart for TAI and it would pull too many resources. For an up and coming company like Uçaksan tho, it makes perfect sense. Love it.
Absolutely. With the level Turkish aviation industry as a whole reached today, it only makes sense.I said in the past that I don’t think this kind of venture was smart for TAI and it would pull too many resources. For an up and coming company like Uçaksan tho, it makes perfect sense. Love it.
You can not compare UCAV like Akinci and Kizilelma with a strategic Bomber. They are foreseen for different Tasks. Bombers you need to strike Targets far away from Homeland.What would be the point for Turkiye to have bombers when they already use UAV’s for that matter ? Also developing and maintaining bombers would be too costly.
They are already starting to use Akinci for Air-to-Ground missions. Later when Kizilelma will be ready they will progressively start to phase out the F-16’s for that role.
There is also a stealth bomber currently in development by TAI called TISU.
After 5 years. TAI will start civil passenger aircraft program.I said in the past that I don’t think this kind of venture was smart for TAI and it would pull too many resources. For an up and coming company like Uçaksan tho, it makes perfect sense. Love it.
True. But it’s gonna be a legit short to medium range commercial jet airliner, not a very small twin turboprop plane for short hauls. Mr. Kotil has mentioned about this projects many times.After 5 years. TAI will start civil passenger aircraft program.
Hearing TAI talk about this commercial passenger aircraft (that isn't a helicopter) worries me. I think competing in the commercial civil aviation sector against the Airbus-Boeing duopoly is a fool's game. Canadian, Russian, and Chinese (state) firms either almost or literally bankrupted themselves in their attempts.
It's like trying to build a new car brand that only builds ICE vehicles. Chinese brands were never able to build a decent ICE car, but they're on their way to become major players in the EV market. The only time TAI should even consider building a commercial civil passenger aircraft is when a massive paradigm shift occurs in the market, as was the case for the automotive sector.
For instance, the Comac C919 now costs just slightly less than the A320neo or B737 MAX, has less range, is less efficient, doesn't have the planned composite wing, and is filled to the brim with critical western components. China can afford such a project, we cannot. CR929, SSJ, and MC-21 are even more problematic. As for the existing legitimate smaller players: Bombardier divested from the commercial civil aviation sector, and Embraer is struggling to shift E2s (now competing with Airbus).
Besides ongoing projects, I would personally like to see TAI focus on:
- Navalization. Especially in developing a modern Seahawk alternative that massively undercuts Sikorsky.
- Larger military transport jets (JV preferably with Embraer, or at least Antonov)
- Following innovations in the sector like CFM's RISE or RR's UltraFan. Anticipate and prototype a next-generation commercial passenger aircraft, try to enter the market only then, and only if financially viable.
- Invest even more heavily in composite aerostructures, become (more) indispensable to the commercial and military aviation supply chain.
I would love to see Turkish Airlines fly a TAI airliner, but the financial and human resource health of TAI should be prioritized over national pride. Overextending ourselves is a recipe for failure.
Menendez’s departure as chair does not guarantee that the United States will now sell Turkey F-16s, but it does open space for a fresh look at the apparent deal on the table. Since negotiations on Sweden’s accession began, it’s been widely assumed—but not openly stated—that the sale of F-16s would be a decisive factor in Turkey’s calculus. For a year, diplomats on both sides took pains to deny the two issues were linked. However, Erdoğan abandoned all pretext on September 26, stating that “if they [the United States] keep their promises, our parliament will keep its own promise as well.” In a statement at the Vilnius summit, Turkey has committed to sending Sweden’s accession to parliament and working to ensure its ratification.
I think these two points are extremely crucial for our military aviation. A large military transport plane that we can configure for other purposes, like maritime patrol or AEW&C or even a bomber for our larger missiles, would be indispensable for us.Navalization. Especially in developing a modern Seahawk alternative that massively undercuts Sikorsky.
- Larger military transport jets (JV preferably with Embraer, or at least Antonov). Gain experience with larger jets.
We don't even have the MURAD radar yet how do you expect us to modernize everything with ozgur?The 'technical' part of Turkey's F-16 Block 70 procurement is complete
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Technical negotiations between Turkey and the USA regarding Turkey's procurement of F-16 Block 70 fighter jets have been completed. Ministry of National Defense sources made the statement.
In the statement made on the subject by the sources of the Ministry of National Defense, it was stated that the technical meetings of the delegations were completed and the procedures in the USA were expected to be completed. Sources said, “We want this process to be concluded positively and quickly as soon as possible. "We express once again that this issue should not be subject to any conditions," he said.
Turkey's procurement of F-16 Block 70 fighter jets includes 40 new F-16 fighter jets and the upgrade of 79 of the existing F-16s to the Block 70 level. Additionally, it is claimed that the scope of supply includes a large number of spare parts and ammunition.
According to Reuters, the approximate cost of the supply is 20 billion dollars. However, defense industry researchers evaluate that the $20 billion claim is not very realistic.
F-16 Block 70 Viper Fighter Aircraft
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Jets that have undergone F-16 Block 70/72 modernization are generally classified as 4++ generation, as they will be subject to hardware and structural upgrades compared to other F-16s. The most important step in Viper modernization is the replacement of the existing radar system with the APG-83 Active Phased Array (AESA) radar produced by Northrop Grumman.
With the integration of the APG-83 radar, the situational awareness of F-16s will increase significantly.
In addition, in F-16 Block 70/72; There will be a 6” x 8” CPD (high resolution screen), Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System (GCAS) and more technological weapon stations that enable more effective use of the AESA radar and control of pod data.
In addition, new ammunition and missile systems, especially AGM-88E, will be integrated into the aircraft. New generation electronic warfare equipment, the IRST pod and new targeting pods will be available for use on the aircraft.
Türkiye'nin F-16 Blok 70 tedarikinde 'teknik' kısım tamam
Türkiye'nin F-16 Blok 70 savaş uçağı tedarikinde, Türkiye ile ABD arasındaki teknik görüşmeler tamamlandı. Açıklamayı, MSB kaynakları yaptı.www.savunmasanayist.com
Note- Looks like they are going through with the purchase. Unfortunately, if it is realized then a significant portion of Turkish air force will continue to depend on American goodwill well into the late 2030.
Unless USA allow Turkey to integrate its indeginous weapons and manufacture spare parts. Which seems very unlikely with F-16 Block 70 in the current context.
Let's hope instead of modernizing 79 old F-16s to block 70 configeration, they can also be upgraded with Ozgur program like other F-16s in the fleet.
@Sanchez @Yasar @Kartal1 et al.
We don't even have the MURAD radar yet how do you expect us to modernize everything with ozgur?
Don't be surprised if the unready Özgür upgrade achieves readiness faster than the ready Viper upgrade. We are dealing with the US here.We don't even have the MURAD radar yet how do you expect us to modernize everything with ozgur?
I rather have a finished and matured project like Block 70, It will take time for özgür program to mature, We need these jets ASAP we already blown our foot with F35 procurement.Don't be surprised if the unready Özgür upgrade achieves readiness faster than the ready Viper upgrade. We are dealing with the US here.
5th retrofitted A400M is delivered to HvKK.