So Turkish F-16 will have local AESA radar upgrade?? Will US allow it? It may be good option for Pakistani F-16s in future.
Almost all strategic tools used on big foreign platforms are being replaced with indigenous equivalents. F-16 AESA radar, mission computers, avionics and missiles are just example of this policy. This policy aims to upgrade foreign designed big scale weapons systems continuously to reach own designed big complete products such as Hürjet and TF-X. F-16 like platforms are being used as test-bed for domestic monsters.
This policy works same on naval platforms as well. Radars, command control systems, sonars, missiles, torpedos, Bridge Resourses management systems, countermeasure systems, stabilized guns, anti-aircraft systems all are being replaced with domestic equivalents on US ex Perry and German Meko frigates.
The all modules, electronics, softwares of Smart-S radars are being developed by Aselsan so Turkish Army considers Aselsan produced Smart radars as domestic since ahe has different performance parameters than original Smart radars Thales produces. Thales even make a deal with Aselsan to export their own radars with Aselsan T/R modules. This radar is integrated on Meko and Gabya class frigates along with Milgem corvettes.
but the king of the radar systems on Naval platforms to be integrated on Tf-2000 destroyers. Çagrad will have following assets on same mast;
- S band long range UMR surveillance radar 500km
- X band Multi purpose ÇFR surveillance radar 150km
- X band Illumination radar AYR 150km
- Non-rotation national IFF sytem 500km
- Electronic warfare sensors/systems ARES
- Communication and E/O sensors
Turkish Navy placed an order for new Aselsan radar called MAR-D to replace MW-08 radar on Kılıç -I/II FAC and DA-08 radar on Yavuz Class. According to deal, 25 Mar-D radars will be delivered to Navy. Original MAR radars are the main search radar of Hisar-A low altitude SAM missile system of Land Forces.
Fire control radar family called AKR working on different bandwidth are developed. All have a place on different platforms having variety of range requirements from CIWS to Frigate long range engagement.
Kalkan-II will be the main surveillance radar of Hisar-O SAM systems. The trials of this radar is being proceeded in field. ÇAFRAD ÇFR radar could be a derivative of Kalkan-II radar system.
Coastal surveillnce is a serious issue so Aselsan has developed superior coastal watch radar family called Serdar. The latest variant of Serdar called Serdar-7M is developed successfully. Deliveries of Serdar-4M/7M is completed under the Yunus project.
Alper is a proven military level LPI navigation radar used on Milgem corvettes.
Dalyan is developed to be LPI navigation radar of submarines.