Turkey Reportedly Plans to Downscale F-16 US$23 Bln Contract, Maintains Interest in Eurofighter Typhoon
Just a few months after signing the $23 billion (RM107 billion) contract, Turkey reportedly plans to scale down the agreement by reducing the procurement of F-16 modernization kits and associated bomb and missile packages.
(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — After years of negotiations with the United States to acquire 40 of the latest F-16 fighter jet variants and 80 F-16 modernization kits worth $23 billion (RM107 billion), Turkey appears to be reconsidering its plans.
Just months after signing the agreement, Turkey reportedly intends to downsize the $23 billion contract by reducing the acquisition of F-16 modernization kits and related bomb and missile packages.
This decision is attributed to financial constraints and a desire to allocate part of the funds for the US contract to its domestic defense industry.
Turkey is among the largest users of F-16 fighter jets, but it primarily operates older variants that require modernization kits to upgrade to the latest versions.
However, Turkey’s defense industry has reached a level of capability that enables it to undertake the modernization of its F-16 fleet domestically, at an effective cost and without relying on external sources, thus preventing foreign currency outflow.
Turkey’s defense industry has demonstrated its prowess by developing AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar, smart bombs, and various missiles for its F-16 fighter jets.
In March, a Turkish Air Force F-16 Ozgur equipped with a locally developed AESA Nose Radar successfully completed its maiden flight.
The AESA Nose Radar used in this flight was developed by ASELSAN, a Turkish defense company.
The ASELSAN-developed AESA Nose Radar has transformed Turkey’s F-16 Block 30 into a 4.5-generation fighter jet, comparable to the latest F-16 Block 70.
According to ASELSAN, “The AESA Nose Radar provides excellent capabilities to our aircraft with simultaneous air-to-air and air-to-ground mission capabilities. It can also detect and track multiple targets, guide BVR (Beyond Visual Range) missiles, capture high-resolution ground images, and perform electronic warfare functions.”
In addition to the AESA Nose Radar, Turkey’s aging F-16 Block 30 jets will undergo avionics upgrades with modern, locally manufactured systems and components.
The upgrade program will also increase the flight hours of these F-16 Block 30 jets from 8,000 to 12,000 hours.
Ankara sees no need to rely on US defense companies for the modernization of its F-16 jets, as most of these tasks can now be handled by local defense firms.
Earlier this year, Washington approved Turkey’s request to acquire 40 new F-16 variants and 80 modernization kits after Ankara ratified legislation allowing Sweden to join the NATO military alliance, effectively ending years of “drama” between Turkey and the United States.
In addition to reallocating more funds to its local defense industry, Turkey also reportedly aims to pursue the acquisition of Eurofighter Typhoon jets developed by a consortium of four European nations: the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and Spain.
Turkey is keen to obtain the latest Eurofighter Typhoon Tranche 4 variants despite Germany, one of the aircraft’s developers, blocking Ankara’s intentions, even though both countries are NATO members.
The administration of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has repeatedly expressed its desire to acquire Eurofighter Typhoon jets, a request strongly supported by the United Kingdom.
Germany is likely to approve the sale of Eurofighter Typhoons to Turkey as a gesture of gratitude for Turkey’s assistance to Ukraine in its conflict with Russia and to appease its domestic defense industry, which is eager for the sale to boost its economy.
Germany has hesitated to approve the sale of Eurofighter Typhoons to Turkey due to Ankara’s harsh criticism of Israel’s military actions in Gaza, which have resulted in nearly 40,000 civilian deaths.
In November last year, Turkey announced it had begun discussions with the Eurofighter Typhoon consortium nations, particularly the UK, to acquire 40 of the latest Eurofighter Typhoon variants, known as “Tranche 4.”
Equipped with AESA “CAPTOR E” radar, the Eurofighter Typhoon Tranche 4 is considered Europe’s most advanced fighter jet, capable of serving until 2060.
Germany has reportedly ordered 38 Typhoon Tranche 4 jets. — DSA
