Once kicked out of the F-35 program and left with a clear capability gap, Turkey has turned its fortunes around by dramatically expanding its aerospace industry.
At the beginning of the 21st century, Turkey was the world’s third largest arms importer. However, Japan’s dependence on military imports from abroad has declined significantly, from about 80% in 2004 to less than 20% today. On the contrary, Turkey has emerged as a defense exporter, with its cutting-edge weapons being used in many battlefields and with high operational success.
However, it is noteworthy that Turkey’s rapid rise as a weapons manufacturing and exporting country is directly linked to the advancement of the domestic aerospace industry. From the development of fifth-generation fighter jets to light trainer aircraft and stealth drones, Ankara has cemented its position as a reliable aerospace power.
Recently, Turkish Aerospace (TA)’s advanced turboprop trainer aircraft Hulux-II made its maiden flight on December 30th. The twin-seat aircraft, which is already scheduled to enter the Turkish Air Force, has reached a milestone from TA’s production facility near Ankara. Hulux II flew for 20 minutes and reached an altitude of 6,500 feet.
According to reports, the Hulux II is Turkey’s latest turboprop trainer aircraft, following the civilian, military and armed training aircraft Hulux. In its primary role as a trainer, the Hulux-B is already in service with the Turkish Air Force, replacing the SIAI-Marchetti SF260. As Jane’s recently reported, at least 55 Hulux-IIs will further strengthen Turkey’s military trainer aircraft fleet.
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Although details about this new aircraft are scarce at the moment, many other aerospace developments in Turkey are worth keeping an eye on. For example, Turkey’s Baikal, which has emerged as the face of the aerospace and defense industry, acquired Piaggio Aerospace, an Italian aviation giant with a history of more than 100 years.
“Baikal, the world’s largest UCAV company, has outperformed rivals from multiple countries in a competitive bid to sell Piaggio Aerospace, founded in 1884,” the Turkish drone maker said in a statement on December 30. ” he said.
Analysts believe the acquisition is important as it gives the company access to the European market. In 2004, Pratt & Whitney America selected Piaggio Aerospace to manufacture and deliver F-135 engine parts for the F-35 stealth aircraft.
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Some media outlets have suggested that Turkey could re-enter the F-35 supplier program through the acquisition of Piaggio. However, such an assessment may be far-fetched.
Nevertheless, Turkey’s concerted efforts to promote indigenization and aerospace research and development are certainly bearing fruit. As veteran journalist Prakash Nanda previously pointed out in an article for the EuroAsian Times, “The rapid development of Turkey’s defense industry and the increasing global acceptance of its products have brought many collateral benefits. For example, cash register. President Ep Tayyip Erdoğan’s regime has strengthened without any constraints.” Fear of a military challenge, Ankara’s pursuit of a militarized foreign policy in neighboring countries, and the country’s It is managing flexible geopolitical alliances. ”
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Türkiye’s rapid growth as an aerospace powerhouse
Turkey’s biggest recent milestone is the independent development of its own fifth-generation stealth aircraft, KAAN.
The twin-engine, multi-role, air superiority fighter jet developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) made its first flight in February and is expected to enter service in the early 2030s, catapulting Turkey into the fifth group of indigenously developed countries. – Generation of fighters.
The aircraft is intended to replace Türkiye’s F-16, and there are also plans to export it. In fact, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have reportedly expressed interest in acquiring the aircraft, which could have more potential customers in the future.
Even if KAAN cannot match the capabilities of America’s F-35 Lightning II, it would provide a cheaper alternative to countries that are unlikely to acquire F-35s from the United States due to strict export-related requirements.
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Khan’s development is being heralded as a turning point for Turkey, especially after it was forced out of the US F-35 Lightning II consortium to buy Russia’s S-400 air defense system. Turkey has struggled in recent years to acquire advanced fifth-generation aircraft and modernize its aging F-16 fleet as the U.S. drags on approving the sale. So KAAN will be a game changer.
The next major milestone that requires special attention is Turkey’s first domestically produced supersonic jet, a full jet trainer, which made its maiden flight in April 2024.
The aircraft developed by TAI is still in the development stage and has not yet entered mass production. However, reports suggest that production will likely begin in 2025, with first deliveries likely by 2025-2026.
The aircraft, which is often compared to the US T-7 Red Hawk trainer, won its first export contract earlier this month after a bid to export Harjet light combat aircraft to Malaysia failed.
The Hurjet can reach a top speed of approximately Mach 1.4 and has a service ceiling of 45,000 feet. The aircraft is equipped with the latest avionics and is designed to perform armed reconnaissance missions, light attack, training flights, and close air support.
Turkey has also established itself as a world leader in drone technology. The Turkish company Baikal has produced some of the most advanced unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) of modern times, including the TB2, TB3, Akinci, and Kizilerma.
As an example, TB-2 has been hailed as a success story. The drone has been sold to about 24 countries (most recently to Kenya, according to social media reports on Dec. 31) and has been used in the Nogorono-Karabakh conflict fought between Armenia and Armenia in 2020. It has shown extraordinary combat success in several combat areas including: Azerbaijan tilted the battle in favor of the latter.
Remarkably, this drone also attracted attention during the war between Russia and Ukraine. These drones soon succeeded in achieving amazing combat victories over Ukraine. Many claims and videos show Ukraine using these drones to attack Russian patrol ships, armored vehicles, and tanks.
The company has also developed the TB-3, an aircraft carrier-tailored version of the Bayraktar TB2 drone. It’s bigger and better than TB2. The TB3 has foldable wings and the ability to take off from short runways, making it the first combat drone to take off and land on short runways like TCG Anadolu.
The TB3 UCAV can perform intelligence, reconnaissance, surveillance, and attack missions using smart weapons installed under its wings. The TB3 entered the flight test phase last year, and during a test in December it completed an impressive flight time of 32 hours, setting a new record for Bayraktar-class UAVs.
Another UAV that has recently become famous is the Bayraktar Akinci. Bayraktar Akinci, named after Bayraktar Akinci, which means “raider” in Turkish, is a high-altitude, long-lasting, weapon-equipped drone.
The drone is equipped with a variety of air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles. Baikal said the unmanned aircraft can maneuver like a fighter jet and can carry a variety of payloads. Additionally, Akıncı can attack land and air targets. It will also be able to fly higher and stay airborne longer than Türkiye’s current drone fleet.
Akinci recently surprised the world by test-firing the UAV-122 supersonic missile. Thus, it further demonstrated its combat capabilities at a time when drones are becoming the mainstay of combat.
Akinci also contributed to search and rescue operations when an Iranian helicopter carrying former President Ebrahim Raisi crashed in May 2024. Akinci has already been purchased by Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Libya, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso and Mali. Additionally, at least two other countries have expressed interest in the drone, including Saudi Arabia and Kyrgyzstan.
In additionTurkey has made great progress in developing stealth unmanned aerial vehicles Two things are worth mentioning.
One of them is the Anka-3, the first flying-wing deep-strike drone developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries. Anka-3 is a medium-altitude unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) designed for long-term surveillance missions.
With an impressive endurance capability of up to 30 hours, this drone can operate at an altitude of 30,000 feet and cover 250 kilometers. The TAI Anka-3 stealth unmanned combat aircraft (UCAV) prototype made its first flight on December 28, 2023.
Approximately the size of a light combat aircraft and its low-observability characteristics, the Anka-3 is an innovative aircraft resilient enough to withstand combat missions such as electronic warfare, attack, observation, suppression and destruction. It is a UAV. enemy air defense system. This unmanned aircraft is likely to accompany KAAN.
Another unmanned aircraft that positions Turkey as a world leader in this field is Kizilelma, or National Unmanned Combat Aircraft System (MIUS). Kijilerma, developed by Baikal, is an unmanned combat aircraft that is expected to carry out a wide range of military operations, including close air support (CAS), missile strikes, suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD), and destruction of enemy air defenses (dead).
Turkey’s Kizilerma unmanned aerial vehicle is expected to fly for five hours and travel at speeds of up to 800 kilometers per hour, or Mach 0.64. The maximum takeoff weight will be 6 tons, and the drone’s payload capacity will be 1,500 kilograms. According to the manufacturer, a variant of the supersonic aircraft will also be developed. According to reports, the aircraft will likely fly as KAAN’s loyal wingman.
Some of the aircraft mentioned above are in the development stage and have not yet entered mass production. But they represent a major breakthrough for Turkey, positioning Ankara as an aerospace giant.
