F-16 History in Turkey

[Neptune]

 

[Aegis DDG]

How advance is the TuAF F-16 compared to IDF's F-16I? Will TuAF replace older blocks of F-16s with Block 52s?

 

[500]

How advance is the TuAF F-16 compared to IDF's F-16I? Will TuAF replace older blocks of F-16s with Block 52s?

TuAF has 15 F-16 Block 50+ which are equal to IAF F-16I (beside Elbit Dash III).

The bulk of TuAF are block 40/50. IAF has about equal portions of block 10/15, 30/40 and 52+

 

[Aegis DDG]

TuAF has 15 F-16 Block 50+ which are equal to IAF F-16I (beside Elbit Dash III).

The bulk of TuAF are block 40/50. IAF has about equal portions of block 10/15, 30/40 and 52+

Nice. But I thought that TuAF had 32 new Block 52 and CIP upgrades done by TAI. Did Israel have any new upgrades?

 

[500]

Nice. But I thought that TuAF had 32 new Block 52 and CIP upgrades done by TAI.

Turkey bought 15 block 50 and 15 block 50+ through Peace Onyx IV deal.

Did Israel have any new upgrades?

Nothing much recently. Waiting for F-35I in 2017.

 

[Neptune]

TuAF has 15 F-16 Block 50+ which are equal to IAF F-16I (beside Elbit Dash III).

The bulk of TuAF are block 40/50. IAF has about equal portions of block 10/15, 30/40 and 52+

and @Aegis DDG

The number @500 said are the ones built in Turkey. Currently there are 270 jets with 110 of them being block 50 or 50+. Block 50 variants were delivered under Peace Onyx II, III and IV. Here's the source you can see the numbers and variants ordered under PO II, III and IV.

F-16 Air Forces - Turkey :: F-16.net

 

[Armstrong]

and @Aegis DDG

The number @500 said are the ones built in Turkey. Currently there are 270 jets with 110 of them being block 50 or 50+. Block 50 variants were delivered under Peace Onyx II, III and IV. Here's the source you can see the numbers and variants ordered under PO II, III and IV.

F-16 Air Forces - Turkey :: F-16.net

Wait can't you upgrade those F-16s with MLU kits at TAI should you wish to or do you need to ask the Americans every time you do ?

 

[Neptune]

Wait can't you upgrade those F-16s with MLU kits at TAI should you wish to or do you need to ask the Americans every time you do ?

we have the rights to do it at our own vipers. But it requires US Congress approval for non-Turkish jets.

 

[xenon54 out]

Turkey bought 15 block 50 and 15 block 50+ through Peace Onyx IV deal.


Nothing much recently. Waiting for F-35I in 2017.

Israel wanted to equip its F-35 with indigenous systems but US didnt allowed it, did they have an agreement now?

 

[Armstrong]

we have the rights to do it at our own vipers. But it requires US Congress approval for non-Turkish jets.

Then why haven't the Block 15s, the Block 30/40s been upgraded to the Block 50/52 level as we had ours upgraded which are comparable to our Block 52s in everything except the range or the payload because an MLU can't reinvent an aircraft !

 

[500]

Wait can't you upgrade those F-16s with MLU kits at TAI should you wish to or do you need to ask the Americans every time you do ?

All Turkish F-16 are F-16C. They don't need MLU.

Israel wanted to equip its F-35 with indigenous systems but US didnt allowed it, did they have an agreement now?

Israel plans to install its own EW systems, air to air missiles and bombs.

 

[Baykuş]

...
Israel plans to install its own EW systems, air to air missiles and bombs.

Have Israel got the thumps-up from the US to do so, or is it yet just plans?

 

[Armstrong]

All Turkish F-16 are F-16C. They don't need MLU.

What difference would that make ?

A C/D variant can come in either Block 25, Block 30/32, Block 40/42 or Block 50/52 versions !

 

[500]

Have Israel got the thumps-up from the US to do so, or is it yet just plans?

Yes US agreed.

What difference would that make ?

A C/D variant can come in either Block 25, Block 30/32, Block 40/42 or Block 50/52 versions !

Almost all Turkish F-16 are block 40/50 what MLU do u want there?

 

[T-123456]

Have Israel got the thumps-up from the US to do so, or is it yet just plans?

F-35I,
The F-35I is an F-35A with Israeli modifications. A senior Israel Air Force official stated "the aircraft will be designated F-35I, as there will be unique Israeli features installed in them". Despite an initial refusal to allow such modifications, the U.S. has agreed to let Israel integrate its own electronic warfare systems into the aircraft’s built-in electronic suite. That would let Israel gradually add indigenously produced EW sensors and countermeasures once it receives its first squadron. In addition, a plug-and-play feature added to the main computer will allow for the use of Israeli electronics in an add-on fashion. Israel will be able to fit its own external jamming pod and plans to install its own air-to-air missiles and guided bombs in the F-35’s internal weapon bays. A contract was issued for this in 2012.Israeli pilots are scheduled to start training in F-35s in December 2016 with the first squadron activated about a year later.

Israel Aerospace Industries has considered playing a role in the development of a proposed two-seat F-35. An IAI executive stated, "There is a known demand for two seats not only from Israel but from other air forces. Advanced aircraft are usually two seats rather than single seats." IAI also plans to produce conformal fuel tanks to extend the range.

A senior IAF official has said that elements of the stealth on the F-35 may be overcome in 5 to 10 years, while the aircraft will be in service for 30 to 40 years, which is why Israel has insisted on the ability to install their own electronic warfare systems. “The basic F-35 design is OK. We can make do with adding integrated software.”Israel is interested in purchasing as many as 75 F-35 fighters.