Turkey to work with BAE Systems on TF-X fighter project

[Zarvan]

BAE Systems has been initially downselected as foreign partner for Turkey's fighter aircraft programme. Source: IHS/Nick de Larrinaga
Turkey has decided to work with BAE Systems for its ambitious National Fighter Aircraft project (Milli Muharebe Uçagi - MMU).

Speaking to IHS Jane's on 11 December a spokesperson for the Turkish Undersecretariat for Defence Industries (SSM) stated that BAE Systems had been selected as the 'priority foreign co-operation company (YIF)' for MMU, known overseas as the Turkish Fighter Experimental (TF-X) project.

Meanwhile, BAE Systems told IHS Jane's , that, "Following the request for proposals (RfP) for collaboration on the TF-X programme, the responses to the RfP have now been evaluated and it has been decided to initially launch the pre-contract study activities with BAE Systems."

TF-X is intended to build the country's first indigenously developed fighter aircraft, which will replace the Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter aircraft in Turkish Air Force service in the 2030s.

The SSM spokesperson added, "It has been planned to forge a long-term strategic co-operation [arrangement] with YIF on the TF-X project. In other words, during the whole life cycle of the project co-operation activities will be carried out with the foreign company selected including sales to third countries."

The pre-contract studies activities between Turkey and BAE Systems will mainly involve deciding the configuration and engine selection for the aircraft before a final contract being signed, the SSM told IHS Jane's . The TF-X programme will later be carried out in accordance with an agreement to be signed with the main contractor (expected to be Turkish Aerospace Industries - TAI) and sub-contractor, it said.

Airbus and Saab were also competing for the requirement and if talks with BAE Systems fail then the SSM is expected to hold talks with them, respectively.

The SSM source explained that the TF-X project involves three phases: Design and Prototype Qualification (Period I), Gaining First and Full Operations Capabilities (Period II), and Serial Production (Period III).

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Turkey to work with BAE Systems on TF-X fighter project | IHS Jane's 360