Turkey insists on acquiring modern fighter jets: "Modern fighter aircraft - Turkey's response to Israel and Greece"
In a strategic move to modernize its military, Turkey is simultaneously advancing multiple defense projects, including the development of its indigenous fighter jet, the Kaan, and main battle tank, the Altay, while securing foreign advanced aircraft imports.
The Kaan program, initiated in 2016 after Turkey was removed from the F-35 program, is expected to deliver the first batch of 20 jets by 2028. Production rates are set to increase to two per month by 2029, with over 100 Kaans projected for Turkish service in the 2030s. The Kaan will feature indigenous engines and advanced avionics in later blocks, making it a formidable addition to Turkey's air force.
Turkey has also secured export orders for Kaan fighters, including from Indonesia and Saudi Arabia. In addition to the Kaan, Turkey is planning to acquire 40 Eurofighter Typhoon jets from the UK. This acquisition, formalized by a memorandum of understanding, aims to modernize Turkey's predominantly F-16 air force and provide advantages in regional conflicts.
Meanwhile, the Altay project, a key domestic defense effort, is ongoing alongside TAI's work on the Kaan fighter. The new Altay generation aims to enhance indigenous armored capabilities, reflecting Turkish technological strides in land systems.
However, Turkey's military modernization efforts have been hampered by the loss of a significant portion of its fighter pilots, leading the country to seek pilots abroad. This shortage stems from dismissals and arrests of pilots following the 2016 coup attempt, which has significantly weakened the Turkish military, especially the air force.
Despite these challenges, Turkey is determined to catch up technologically. The USA has agreed to the sale of modern F-16s to Turkey, with the first jets potentially being delivered in 2022. The Europeans, after a German veto was lifted, are now considering selling 40 Eurofighters to Turkey.
The Turkish government plans to spend nearly $50 billion on its defense by 2025, indicating a commitment to boosting its national defense industry autonomy and rapidly modernizing military capabilities. The ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, including the Israeli-Iranian war and the ongoing Gaza war, underscore the need for these investments.
As Turkey continues to advance its military capabilities, it faces criticism from some quarters. A government-affiliated think tank, SETA, has been accused of targeting Erdogan-critical journalists for their coverage of Turkey. The report, published by SETA, mainly targets journalists from international media organizations such as BBC, Deutsche Welle, Voice of America, Sputnik, Euronews, CRI, and Independent.
In the face of these challenges, Turkey remains resolute in its pursuit of military modernization. With the Kaan and Altay projects, as well as foreign aircraft acquisitions, Turkey is positioning itself to be a formidable player in the region.
The Kaan program, an indigenous fighter jet project initiated after Turkey was removed from the F-35 program, is expected to receive criticism from some quarters, with a government-affiliated think tank, SETA, accused of targeting Erdogan-critical journalists for their coverage of Turkey.
Meanwhile, the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, such as the Israeli-Iranian war and the ongoing Gaza war, make the modernization of Turkey's military, including the development of the Kaan and Altay projects, a priority in the realm of war-and-conflicts and politics, falling under the general-news category.
