A new resounding blow to Turkey from the United States, after they transferred the production of the F-35 to Germany, amid the extensive debate on the supply of fighter aircraft and the "war" of publications on the continuous upgrading of the capabilities of the Greek Air Force, which it includes the upgrade of the F-16s to the Viper version, the supply of French Rafale fighter jets, but also the acquisition of the fifth generation F-35 fighter from the USA.
After the United States excluded Turkey from the F-35 fighter program due to the purchase of Russian S-400 air defense systems, it became known that Turkey was also left without the production of components of this fifth-generation fighter aircraft. According to Russian media, parts for the American fighter are produced instead of Turkey in Germany.
Today, Germany is participating for the first time in the component production program for the F-35 fighter, and in the future it may expand the production base. German companies expect to receive a large income from this production, which Turkey has "liberated". Turkey's revenue from the production of components for the F-35 was about 12 billion dollars, while the production of additional elements of this aircraft could be organized in Germany.
Turkey has not yet commented on the transfer of production of the F-35 fighter to Germany, however, such a move by the US will clearly seriously strain relations between Ankara and Washington, while Turkey will almost certainly be left without fifth-generation fighter jets.
Previously, Turkey was considered one of the most important manufacturers of the central part of the F-35 fighter jets, and it was very problematic to replace it in this regard.
Ankara's concerns, however, are not limited to the loss of revenue and the non-delivery of said fighters to the Turkish Air Force, but also to the supply of F-35s to Greece, which is expected to lead to air dominance in the Aegean and the southeast Mediterranean .
As we have already reported, according to Gregory Ulmer, Executive Vice President of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, "Greece will acquire the most advanced version of the F-35A Block 4 Technology Refresh 3 (TR3)".
The first F-35A aircraft equipped with the Tech Refresh 3 version flew on January 6 from Edwards Air Force Base, California. The TR-3 version, has more powerful processors and memory on which most of the planned improvements to the F-35 Block 4 are based. The Block 4 version of the F-35 will have new electronic warfare capabilities, new sensors and capabilities for new weapons, as well as improved interoperability with fourth-generation fighters such as the F-22.
Lockheed Martin aeronautics F-35 vice president and general manager Bridget Lauderdale said the flight "is an important step in ensuring the F-35 remains competitive around the world." We look forward to continuing to work with JPO and industry partners to deliver the TR-3,” she stressed.
It is therefore an even more improved version of an aircraft that, despite the many problems, will form the core of the Air Forces in Europe and in the West in general in the next 30-40 years, and among them will be the Greek Air Force.
The transfer of production from Turkey to Germany makes it clear that Ankara is not going to receive this type of aircraft, while it is another indication of its intense distance from the Western camp and the NATO sphere.
