Controversy prevails in Turkey regarding the issue of the sale of 79 modernization kits by the US, since, if implemented, it would result in the upgrade of the same number of F-16s of the Turkish Air Force and consequently an increase in its operational capabilities.
CONTINUE READING
Αλλάζουν τα δεδομένα στην Τουρκία! Γιατί ο Κιλιτσντάρογλου κλειδώνει τη νίκη στις εκλογές της 14ης Μαΐου-Πώς διαμορφώνονται τα Ελληνοτουρκικά
We understand reasonably that the matter concerns not only Turkey but also our country.
Turkish reflection on the US
Indicative of the Turkish concern on the subject, it is hosted by the President of the Presidency of the Turkish Defense Industry, Dr. İsmail Demir, in a reputable Turkish media, regarding "what will happen if the US does not give the F-16 Blok 70 kit?"
"Ο Πρόεδρος της Προεδρίας της Αμυντικής Βιομηχανίας Καθ. Δρ. İsmail Demir αναφέρθηκε στο τι θα συμβεί εάν οι ΗΠΑ δεν εγκρίνουν το αίτημα της Τουρκίας για τα F-16 Block 70.
In the statement he made, he said: “As Chairman of the Defense Industry Presidency, this issue does not concern me, I am looking ahead.
Have I completed my project on Blok 30?
I did it.
Will I make it to Block 40's and 50's?
Will do it.
Will I upgrade them to a Viper version with these upgrades?
Yes I will bring them.
Do I have that determination?
I have it, either in 6 months or later.
Are we reaching the goal?
We are not interested in looking at what others say. We know what we have to do, as soon as possible." .
Project ÖZGÜR
Under the ÖZGÜR project, Turkey aims to equip its F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets with national avionics.
The avionics modernization project to be applied to the F-16 Block 30 fighter jets includes:
National Mission Computer
System interface module
Upper front cockpit control panel
Hydraulic fuel gauge, engine gauge gauge
Emergency indication
National sound safety device
National Identification System for Friends and Foes (IFF)
Multimodal receiver
Inertial navigation system
Integration of the central cockpit display and multifunction color display
Serial production has started as part of the project.
On the other hand, the MURAD AESA Radar, which is under development, is expected to be integrated into aircraft in the future.
Making statements in the previous weeks, the Chairman of the Presidency of the Defense Industry Prof. Dr. İsmail Demir had announced that the ÖZGÜR project would also be applied to F-16 fighter jets in Block 40 and Block 50 configurations.
Finally, it is recalled that Turkey submitted a request to the United States in 2021, which includes the modernization of 40 F-16 Block 70 and 79 F-16 Block 40 / 50+ fighter aircraft to the Block 70 level.
What does Turkey want?
Turkey's constant pursuit is to have air superiority over Greece, since it knows how essential and basic it is as a condition for achieving its expansive designs in the Aegean.
The purchase of RAFALEs by our country and the modernization of our 80 F-16s in the VIPER version that are underway by Greece, as well as the purchase of at least one squadron of F-35 fighters starting in 2028, showed Ankara that the country steadily getting us that air dominance.
For this reason, Turkey is building a large fleet of UAVs, building its own air-to-air, air-to-sea and air-to-ground missile systems, equipping both its UAVs and its F-16 fighter jets, while carrying out their indigenous modernization with the ÖZGÜR program we mentioned, even trying conditionally to get 40 F-16 BLOCK -70 and 79 modernization kits from the USA, bargaining with the British for Eurofighters and developing the KIZILELMA drone and its fighter jet 5th generation TF-X.
In closing, we point out that the modernization of the F-16s that Turkey is attempting with the domestic ÖZGÜR program, in no case can be compared to the modernization by the US to VIPER, of the Greek F-16 fighter aircraft, which gives the lead to Greek wings in the Aegean.
