(Europa) Türkische Luftstreitkräfte

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France Will Not Block Türkiye’s Meteor Missile Procurement
21 Feb 2025, 19:00 2 mins


France Will Not Block Türkiye’s Meteor Missile Procurement TurDef Screenshot
French Minister of Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu has officially stated that France will not intervene in Türkiye’s Meteor missile acquisition, contrary to Greece’s expectations.

Lecornu answered a question about selling Meteor missiles to Türkiye at a session of the French Parliament’s (Assemblée Nationale) Defence Committee on February 18, 2025. Although he admitted Greece had asked France to stop the transaction, he underlined the issue was beyond France’s hands.

We do not control British arms exports. Do we have a role in this matter? No. We are not the ones selling the platform to Türkiye,” Lecornu stated.

Emphasising France’s own national interests, the minister further summed up this position as, “France is always on the right side—on the side of the French people.” “I believe we have no alternative but to use diplomacy, persuasion, and above all, find a way for everyone to engage in dialogue to reach a solution,” he said, suggesting Greece has no option but to accept the circumstances. "I will visit Athens shortly to review all these issues with my Greek colleague.”

https://turdef.com/article/france-will-n...rocurement

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Eurofighter Typhoon Procurement: Türkiye Awaits Price Offer
27 Feb 2025, 17:20 2 mins
United Kingdom Turkiye
Air
Eurofighter Typhoon Procurement: Türkiye Awaits Price Offer TurDef
Following Türkiye's formal request, the Turkish Ministry of National Defence (MoD) has stated that it expects a price bid from BAE Systems to acquire Eurofighter Typhoon fighter planes.

According to MoD sources, until the native KAAN starts operating, the Turkish Air Force is assessing the possibility of upgrading its fleet with sophisticated fighter aircraft.
The procurement process aims to diversify the inventory and integrate modern technology into the Air Force's operational capabilities.
The MoD sources stated, "In line with the requirements of our Air Force Command, efforts continue to introduce modern, technologically advanced fighter jets into the inventory and diversify the fleet until our national aircraft KAAN becomes operational. Within this framework, a Requirements Definition Document has been submitted to the UK Ministry of Defence and BAE Systems regarding the procurement of Eurofighter Typhoon. Right now, the pertinent firm is sending us a pricing offer."

https://turdef.com/article/eurofighter-t...rice-offer

ALTAY Main Battle Tank Delivery Schedule Announced
27 Feb 2025, 12:24 3 mins
Turkiye
Land Investment
ALTAY Main Battle Tank Delivery Schedule Announced
Haluk Görgün, the Secretary of Defence Industries, has revealed the delivery timetable for serial manufacturing of ALTAY, the next-generation MBT for Türkiye,

The statement states that three tanks for the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) will arrive in 2025, 11 in 2026, 41 in 2027, and 30 in 2028.
Speaking at BMC's facilities in Ankara, Görgün affirmed that confirming Türkiye's dedication to modernising its armoured capabilities, an extra 165 tanks will be delivered in the next years.



T1 vs T2 Versions
TurDef anticipates that the initial batch of three ALTAY T1 tanks will be produced at the Sakarya Tank Pallet Factory, as was the case with the previous two prototypes already delivered to the TSK. Future tanks, particularly those produced at the Ankara Aerospace and Defence Industrial Zone (HAB), are expected to be of the T2 configuration.

https://turdef.com/article/altay-main-ba...-announced

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Turkish Air Force Returns to Red Flag Exercise in the US
08 Mar 2025, 22:05 3 mins
USA Turkiye
Air Simulator / AI / Drill/ Software Bilateral Relations
Turkish Air Force Returns to Red Flag Exercise in the US TurDef
The Turkish Air Force (TurAF) returns to the multinational Red Flag Exercise at Nevada Air Base. Turkish Force Command dispatched F-16 fighter planes to participate in the second exercise, which will last two weeks and take place in 2025.

Turkish-US bilateral relations tend to return to previous days, and military cooperation follows this trend. Reflecting this leaning, five F-16 fighters from the 132nd “Hançer” (Dagger) Squadron of the 3rd Main Jet Base Command departed for the US accompanied by two KC-135R aerial refuelling aircraft and an Airbus A400M transport aircraft. The Turkish fleet made a technical stop in Portugal before crossing the Atlantic and landing at Prestwick, Goose Bay, Canada.

This year’s multinational exercise at Nellis included the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) and the United Arab Emirates Air Force (UAEAF) alongside TurAF and the host USAF. Saudi Arabia flies F-15S and Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft; the UAEAF supplies F-16 fighters and A330 MRTT tankers.

Initiated by the USAF in 1975, Red Flag activities seek to improve ally combat preparedness and interoperability. Blue and Red Forces are formed from participants to reproduce realistic combat situations meant to test, assess, and improve tactical capabilities in almost real-time settings.

https://turdef.com/article/turkish-air-f...-in-the-us

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Türkiye Receives Response to Eurofighter Typhoon Request

13 Mar 2025, 13:43 3 mins
United Kingdom France Saudi Arabia Turkiye
Air Bilateral Relations Regional / Strategy Defence Politics
Türkiye Receives Response to Eurofighter Typhoon Request Turkiye

Türkiye has received a response to its request for a price proposal from the United Kingdom and BAE Systems for the procurement of Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft.
Responding to inquiries regarding the Eurofighter procurement process, sources from the Ministry of National Defence (MoD) stated:
“We previously announced that the Requirement Definition Document for the procurement of 40 Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft to meet the operational needs of our Air Force was submitted to the UK Ministry of Defence and the relevant company and that we were expecting an offer. The anticipated proposal has now reached our Ministry, and the evaluation process is ongoing.”

https://turdef.com/article/tuerkiye-rece...on-request

[Skywalker]

Turkish F-16s Are Using Tablets To Control Locally Made Weapons
Tablets are an increasingly popular way of fast-tracking the integration of new capabilities on a variety of aerial platforms.
Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 27, 2025

106
Turkey has begun using tablet computers in the cockpits of its F-16s to enable rapid integration of new locally developed weapons. The development has interesting parallels with Ukraine’s use of such devices to allow its Soviet-era jets to employ Western air-to-ground weapons.

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Turkey has begun using tablet computers in the cockpits of its F-16 fighters to help with the rapid integration of new locally-developed weapons. This has interesting parallels with Ukraine’s use of such devices to allow its Soviet-era jets to employ Western air-to-ground weapons — something you can read more about here.

The tablet can be seen in the cockpit of an F-16 in a recent video showing a test launch of the domestically developed SOM-J standoff missile. The tablet is mounted on the Input Control Panel (ICP), which is located on the center console beneath the head-up display. The ICP is used to select weapons, navigation settings, and radio communications, among other functions. At the same time, the pilot has another tablet on their knee, something that has become increasingly common, augmenting the information available via the aircraft’s mission systems and helping eliminate cumbersome paper books in the cockpit.

https://www.twz.com/air/turkish-f-16s-ar...de-weapons

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Brazil in Talks with Turkiye for KC-390 Cargo Aircraft
04 Apr 2025, 17:59 4 mins
Brazil Turkiye
Air Expo and Air Show
Brazil in Talks with Turkiye for KC-390 Cargo Aircraft TurDef
Brazilian MoD Jose Mucio said at the LAAD 2025 conference that discussions with other nations, including Turkiye, over KC-390 cargo planes were ongoing.

According to Reuters, Brazil’s Embraer is negotiating with Turkiye, Poland, and Finland over the KC-390 Millennium twin-jet freight plane. This might provide Turkiye with a fresh door to look for an enlargement of its aviation transport capacity.

Another important development regarding Turkiye and Brazil’s cooperation in aerospace during the LAAD 2025 exhibition is the signing of a strategic MoU between TUSAŞ and Embraer involving E-Jet E2 airliners.

https://turdef.com/article/brazil-in-tal...o-aircraft

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Germany Vetoes Eurofighter Typhoon Sale to Turkiye

18 Apr 2025, 15:48 4 mins
Germany Turkiye
Air Weapon / Missile Bilateral Relations Regional / Strategy
German Vetoes Eurofighter Typhoon Sale to Turkiye TurDef
Berlin cites concerns the opposition mayor’s arrest as reasons for Eurofighter veto, but international relations might play a role behind closed doors.

Germany has reportedly vetoed the planned export of Eurofighter Typhoon jets to Turkiye, citing democratic concerns and the arrest of Istanbul’s opposition mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu. According to a report by the German daily Handelsblatt, the caretaker federal government, currently led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz in an acting capacity, blocked the delivery of approximately three dozen fighter jets (TurDef’s note Turkiye wants 40 jets), despite the United Kingdom’s readiness to proceed with the deal.



The move is perceived as a direct response to what Berlin describes as “serious violations of democratic principles” in Turkiye. According to German government sources, a major factor in the choice to deny the export permit was İmamoğlu's arrest on corruption allegations. Opposition parties claim that İmamoğlu's arrest is part of a larger effort to stifle dissent before elections, given his status as a major contender to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

During a visit to Istanbul in October 2024, Chancellor Scholz had defended Eurofighter exports to Turkiye by saying, "Turkiye is a member of NATO, and that is why we repeatedly make decisions that lead to concrete deliveries." Recent events, nevertheless, seem to have changed Berlin's stance.

https://turdef.com/article/germany-vetoe...to-turkiye

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SUNGUR Air Defence Missile System Delivered to Land Forces
24 Apr 2025, 16:59 2 mins

Weapon / Missile Unmanned Systems
SUNGUR Air Defence Missile System Delivered to Land Forces TurDef
Turkish Army has received the domestically developed SUNGUR short-range air defence system, boosting national mobile and portable air defence capability.

The Turkish Ministry of National Defence has confirmed the delivery of SUNGUR air defence missiles and BAHA unmanned sub-cloud aerial vehicles to the Land Forces Command following the completion of inspection and acceptance procedures. Rear Admiral Zeki Aktürk, Defence Ministry spokesperson and chief of press and public relations announced this during the ministry’s weekly briefing.

https://turdef.com/article/sungur-air-de...and-forces

Turkish MoD Does Not Take Eurofighter Veto Seriously
24 Apr 2025, 15:17 3 mins

Air Bilateral Relations
Turkish MoD Does Not Take Eurofighter Veto Seriously TurDef
Turkish defence officials assert that Germany's declared resistance to Eurofighter Typhoon transfers to Turkiye has no impact on the present acquisition talks.

Reports that Germany is stopping Turkiye from buying more than 30 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets have been dismissed by the Turkish Ministry of National Defence (MoD).

Reportedly driven by human rights and democratic backsliding worries, the problem has arisen against increasing political tension between Berlin and Ankara. German media have linked the choice to Ekrem İmamoğlu, the opposition leader and present mayor of Istanbul.

German outlet “Handelsblatt” reported that the coalition government of the Social Democrats and the Greens had decided to halt the sale due to Türkiye’s domestic political climate. The paper noted that the decision came during the outgoing administration’s final days in office. The German government has not denied the report.

https://turdef.com/article/turkish-mod-d...-seriously

[Skywalker]

T129 ATAK Shown in TEKNOFEST 2025 with RF Jammer Pod


04 May 2025, 17:38 2 mins
Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Turkiye
Air E/W Expo and Air Show
T129 ATAK Shown in TEKNOFEST 2025 with RF Jammer Pod TurDef
During TEKNOFEST 2025, held in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), TUSAŞ’s T129 ATAK attack helicopter was exhibited with an under-wing RF jammer pod for the first time.

T129 ATAK’s current configuration using small RF jammers as a part of its integrated electronic warfare suite has received a much larger jammer in the form of a pod that has a higher performance than self-defence dedicated jammers.

https://turdef.com/article/t129-atak-sho...jammer-pod

[Skywalker]

U.S. Approves AIM-120C-8 and AIM-9X Sale to Turkiye by FMS
15 May 2025, 13:00 2 mins
USA Turkiye
Weapon / Missile
U.S. Approves AIM-120C-8 and AIM-9X Sale to Turkiye by FMS TurDef
DSCA announced the approval of 53 AIM-120C-8 BVRAAMs and 60 AIM-9X Block II WVRAAMs to Turkiye for an estimated cost of $304.1 million by the State Department.

If Turkiye acquires the missiles, the Turkish Air Force will have the latest export variant of the AIM-120 AMRAAM for the first time. AIM-120C-8 is close to the AIM-120D variant in most specifications, including the maximum firing range of 160 km, which is almost 1.5 times that of the AIM-120C-7 missiles in Turkish Air Force service.

The AIM-120C-8 lacks two-way data link to update the target and uses standard flight profile while D3 is equipped with more advanced sensors and follows improved flight path algorithms. The D3 also has more Electronic Counter-Countermeasures (ECCM) Resistance in comparison with C8 version.

The lower count of missiles compared to approved sales to other U.S.-allied nations suggests this is likely to improve the capabilities of F-16 fighters that will not be fitted with the ÖZGÜR modernisation package.

The Turkish F-16s to be fitted with ÖZGÜR modernisation package will have the capability to use the indigenous GÖKDOĞAN BVRAAM and BOZDOĞAN WVRAAMs developed by TÜBİTAK SAGE. The last phase of the ÖZGÜR programme includes the integration of ASELSAN’s MURAD 100-A AESA radar, which will elevate the BVR capabilities of Turkish F-16s further.

https://turdef.com/article/u-s-approves-...iye-by-fms

[Skywalker]

Indien zeigt sich besorgt 😟 wegen Dr Lieferung von AMRAAM Raketen sn die Türkei und fürchtet das diese in die Hände Pakistans geraten können.

India Raises Concerns Over US-Turkey $225M AMRAAM Missile Deal Amid Turkey-Pakistan Ties
Story by Tejaswini Deshmukh • 22h


US AMRAAM Missiles for Turkey Spark Fresh Concerns in India
The United States has approved a deal to sell powerful air-to-air missiles to Turkey. These missiles are called AMRAAMs, short for Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles. They are some of the most advanced weapons in the world, made to strike enemy aircraft from far away—even before pilots can see them.

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This new deal of AMRAAM is worth $225 million and includes not just the missiles but also many other things like parts, containers, software, and support from engineers and contractors. The sale still needs approval from the US Congress, but once approved, Turkey will receive 53 of these AMRAAM missiles, along with extra equipment.

🤣🤣🤣


https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/ind...r-AA1ETt6B

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Turkish MoD Holds Press Meeting at the 401st Squadron’s Home
29 May 2025, 18:55 3 mins
Turkiye
Country
Turkish MoD Holds Press Meeting at the 401st Squadron’s Home TurDef Photo Credit: Cem Doğut
The Turkish MoD held a press meeting in front of the test aircraft of the 401st Test Squadron and the indigenously developed munitions alongside them.

The location of this week’s Turkish MoD press meeting was the home of the 401st Squadron, the 1st Air Supply and Maintenance Centre in Eskişehir.

The press meeting was held in front of one F-16 and one F-4E 2020 fighter used by the 401st Test Squadron alongside various munitions developed by Turkiye for fighter jets. The munitions include: Gökdoğan BVRAAM, Bozdoğan WVRAAM, SOM-B1 cruise missile, LGK-82 laser guidance kit, and HGK-82 GNSS/INS guidance kit. The choice of venue may have been a deliberate decision by the Turkish MoD to highlight the strength and progress of the Turkish defence industry.

https://turdef.com/article/turkish-mod-h...ron-s-home

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Turkiye Weighs MRTT and KC-46A to Replace KC-135 Fleet
04 Jun 2025, 12:25 2 mins
Germany USA France Turkiye
Air Logistics
Turkiye Weighs MRTT and KC-46A to Replace KC-135 Fleet TurDef
According to Breaking Defence, Turkiye is choosing between Boeing's KC-46A Pegasus and Airbus's A330 MRTT (Multi Role Tanker Transport) to replace its old KC-135 tanker planes.

There are seven KC-135R Stratotankers in the Turkish Air Force, and they are based at Incirlik air base.

The choice of tanker does not only have political implications, it will also effect the operations.

The aircraft is equipped with various fuel delivery systems. These are AAR refuelling boom and AAR under-wing pod systems: AAR boom fuel flow rate up to a maximum of 3,600 kg/min – 1,200 US gal/min while under wing PODS fuel offload rate 1,300 kg/min – 420 US gal/min.

It can use both boom and Hose and drogue systems. Using boom it provided E3, F-16, F-15, C-17, F-35A, E-7A, A-10C, F-22, P-8A, B1-B, B-2A, B-52H.

https://turdef.com/article/turkiye-weigh...-135-fleet

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EDPOD ESM Pod Enters the Turkish Air Force’s Inventory
23 Jun 2025, 15:01 2 mins
Turkiye
Air E/W
EDPOD ESM Pod Enters the Turkish Air Force’s Inventory TurDef
Turkish Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır announced that TÜBİTAK BİLGEM’s EDPOD has entered the inventory of the Turkish Air Force.

EDPOD, developed by TÜBİTAK BİLGEM, has entered the Turkish Air Force inventory to be used onboard F-16 fighter jets to provide extensive ESM capabilities.

The pod is mounted on the central fuselage hardpoint, which is normally used for external fuel tanks.

EDPOD, upon detecting radar signals from the enemy systems, identifies and locates the signal source. The aforementioned information is shared with friendly platforms in real-time. Additionally, the pod can store the data from operations ready for analysis.

https://turdef.com/article/edpod-esm-pod...-inventory

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Turkiye Prioritises Missile and Air Defence Systems
26 Jun 2025, 17:40 4 mins
USA Turkiye NATO
Air Bilateral Relations Defence Politics
Turkiye Prioritises Missile and Air Defence Systems TurDef
Iran’s hypersonic missiles breaching Israel’s air shield after retaliating for an Israeli strike has made layered defence Türkiye’s new strategic priority.

Iran’s large-scale missile retaliation against Israel, involving hypersonic systems that reportedly penetrated Israel’s multi-layered air defence network, has prompted Türkiye to elevate missile and air defence to the top of its national security agenda.

The NATO Leaders’ Summit held in The Hague was dominated by the rising need for defence spending triggered by Russia’s war on Ukraine and Iran’s missile capabilities, which pierced through Israel’s air defence shield.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, addressing reporters after the summit, confirmed that Türkiye is accelerating efforts to develop a domestic, multi-tiered “system of systems” for air defence. While discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump on rejoining the F-35 fighter jet programme took place, Erdoğan clarified that the Russian S-400 system was not part of their bilateral talks.

“Air defence does not begin and end with the S-400. Our public now clearly sees the need for a layered structure,” Erdoğan stated. “We are constructing our own version of a steel dome. This requires harmonised missile systems at various altitudes, working like the organs of a single body.”

https://turdef.com/article/turkiye-prior...ce-systems