Turkish Air Force shuns indigenous aircraft

[Major Shaitan Singh]

In the last few years, almost every visiting foreign dignitary representing a country potentially a buyer of weapons systems has been taken to TUSAŞ Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) so that its proud war toys could be showcased: A drone and a basic trainer aircraft.

Both aircraft (well, their fancy photos) were illustrated on election billboards with President (then Prime Minster) Recep Tayyip Erdoğan proudly heralding to the Turks that “100 percent Turkish-made military aircrafts were flying.”

With the local aerospace technology Turkey would gain from both aircraft programs, the country would eventually design, develop and produce a fighter jet – and sell all three to foreign buyers.

Last month, TAI officials were in Pakistan, hoping to build upon giving subcontracting work on the Anka, TAI’s unmanned aerial vehicle in the medium altitude, low endurance category. U.S. weekly Defense News quoted TAI officials as saying subcontracting work could be given to Pakistan Aeronautical Complex by “looking for opportunities to export it to Pakistan.” They said the Anka “is far better suited in every respect” than Pakistan’s C-130s.

A TAI executive also said the company was ready to explore any opportunity to supply a variant of its Hürkuş turboprop trainer. There are problems, though.

The work on the Anka dates back to December 2004, precisely 10 years earlier. In what an advance technology country could have built a new fighter aircraft, the TAI could only deliver two prototypes to the Turkish military, one of which crashed in 2013. The other prototype is stationed at an air base in Batman, southeastern Turkey, but is not operational although an original timetable stated that three Ankas should have been operational last year.

After having spent more than $200 million on the Anka program, the TAI is now aiming higher: The Anka-S, ideally to be delivered to the military in 2016.

An aviation expert said the delivery year was not “realistic at all.” He said: “Work is required to make the Anka lighter to fit into the promised specifications. I am not sure how soon the TAI can make that.”

Meanwhile, the Turkish military’s persistent push to buy an extra batch of Korean-made KT-1 basic trainers could prune export prospects for the Hürkuş, including to the Pakistani military.

“Why should foreign militaries be enthusiastic about a system for which the producing country’s own military is not enthusiastic?” a defense analyst said.

Turkey has signed a deal with the TAI to buy 10 Hürkuş units, but is pushing for a follow-on order from Korean Aerospace Industries for 15 KT-1s in an approximately $150 million deal. In 2007, Turkey and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) signed a contract for the sale of an initial batch of 40 KT-1s, with an option for 15 more.

The aviation expert said the Turkish military is not comfortable about the Hürkuş’s delivery schedule, targeted at 2017-2018.

“Apparently, the military command fears delays in deliveries. They don’t want disruptions in their training concept,” he said.

TAI’s troubled pride: Anka and Hürkuş - DEFENSE UPDATE

 

[era_shield]

The author was obvious from the title alone. No credible journalist writes like this. Even when Bekdil writes for Jane's, he has to write in a completely different tone, removing all his overt anti-Turkish bias and fallacious assertions because reputable places don't allow it. Can't say the same for hurriyetdailynews.com.

 

[Talwar e Pakistan]

The author was obvious from the title alone. No credible journalist writes like this. Even when Bekdil writes for Jane's, he has to write in a completely different tone, removing all his overt anti-Turkish bias and fallacious assertions because reputable places don't allow it. Can't say the same for hurriyetdailynews.com.

I know right?

 

[Hyperion]

I mean WHAT THE ****........ stopped reading after that........ the guy is obviously a moron of the nth degree.....

In the last few years, almost every visiting foreign dignitary representing a country potentially a buyer of weapons systems has been taken to TUSAŞ Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) so that its proud war toys could be showcased: A drone and a basic trainer aircraft.

Both aircraft (well, their fancy photos) were illustrated on election billboards with President (then Prime Minster) Recep Tayyip Erdoğan proudly heralding to the Turks that “100 percent Turkish-made military aircrafts were flying.”

With the local aerospace technology Turkey would gain from both aircraft programs, the country would eventually design, develop and produce a fighter jet – and sell all three to foreign buyers.

Last month, TAI officials were in Pakistan, hoping to build upon giving subcontracting work on the Anka, TAI’s unmanned aerial vehicle in the medium altitude, low endurance category. U.S. weekly Defense News quoted TAI officials as saying subcontracting work could be given to Pakistan Aeronautical Complex by “looking for opportunities to export it to Pakistan.” They said the Anka “is far better suited in every respect” than Pakistan’s C-130s.

A TAI executive also said the company was ready to explore any opportunity to supply a variant of its Hürkuş turboprop trainer. There are problems, though.

The work on the Anka dates back to December 2004, precisely 10 years earlier. In what an advance technology country could have built a new fighter aircraft, the TAI could only deliver two prototypes to the Turkish military, one of which crashed in 2013. The other prototype is stationed at an air base in Batman, southeastern Turkey, but is not operational although an original timetable stated that three Ankas should have been operational last year.

After having spent more than $200 million on the Anka program, the TAI is now aiming higher: The Anka-S, ideally to be delivered to the military in 2016.

An aviation expert said the delivery year was not “realistic at all.” He said: “Work is required to make the Anka lighter to fit into the promised specifications. I am not sure how soon the TAI can make that.”

Meanwhile, the Turkish military’s persistent push to buy an extra batch of Korean-made KT-1 basic trainers could prune export prospects for the Hürkuş, including to the Pakistani military.

“Why should foreign militaries be enthusiastic about a system for which the producing country’s own military is not enthusiastic?” a defense analyst said.

Turkey has signed a deal with the TAI to buy 10 Hürkuş units, but is pushing for a follow-on order from Korean Aerospace Industries for 15 KT-1s in an approximately $150 million deal. In 2007, Turkey and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) signed a contract for the sale of an initial batch of 40 KT-1s, with an option for 15 more.

The aviation expert said the Turkish military is not comfortable about the Hürkuş’s delivery schedule, targeted at 2017-2018.

“Apparently, the military command fears delays in deliveries. They don’t want disruptions in their training concept,” he said.

TAI’s troubled pride: Anka and Hürkuş - DEFENSE UPDATE

 

[xenon54 out]

TAI’s unmanned aerial vehicle in the medium altitude, low endurance category.

Anka is a MALE (Medium-Altitude-Long-Engurance) class UAV, the author seems to be a even bigger noob in defence issues than me.

I mean WHAT THE ****........ stopped reading after that........ the guy is obviously a moron of the nth degree.....

Just hilarious, im asking myself how old the author is, comparing a drone to a transport aircraft.

 

[xxxKULxxx]

Anka is a MALE (Medium-Altitude-Long-Engurance) class UAV, the author seems to be a even bigger noob in defence issues than me.


Just hilarious, im asking myself how old the author is, comparing a drone to a transport aircraft.

He is same sh!t... Again he is Burak BOKDİL...

 

[usernameless]

Is there a way to complain about this guy? He represents Turkish military industry on various international news/defense sites, but his knowledge is apparently often lacking (not that i know better) and his tone is too anti-Turkey for an important job like his.

Weren't the extra 15 KT-1s put on hold recently for Hurkus to finish? If yes, another fail for him.

 

[-SINAN-]

Weren't the extra 15 KT-1s put on hold recently for Hurkus to finish? If yes, another fail for him.

Yeap.

KT-1 uçağı imzası buzdolabına kaldırıldı - En Son Ekonomi Haberleri - HTEkonomi

 

[kaku1]

In the last few years, almost every visiting foreign dignitary representing a country potentially a buyer of weapons systems has been taken to TUSAŞ Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) so that its proud war toys could be showcased: A drone and a basic trainer aircraft.

Both aircraft (well, their fancy photos) were illustrated on election billboards with President (then Prime Minster) Recep Tayyip Erdoğan proudly heralding to the Turks that “100 percent Turkish-made military aircrafts were flying.”

With the local aerospace technology Turkey would gain from both aircraft programs, the country would eventually design, develop and produce a fighter jet – and sell all three to foreign buyers.

Last month, TAI officials were in Pakistan, hoping to build upon giving subcontracting work on the Anka, TAI’s unmanned aerial vehicle in the medium altitude, low endurance category. U.S. weekly Defense News quoted TAI officials as saying subcontracting work could be given to Pakistan Aeronautical Complex by “looking for opportunities to export it to Pakistan.” They said the Anka “is far better suited in every respect” than Pakistan’s C-130s.

A TAI executive also said the company was ready to explore any opportunity to supply a variant of its Hürkuş turboprop trainer. There are problems, though.

The work on the Anka dates back to December 2004, precisely 10 years earlier. In what an advance technology country could have built a new fighter aircraft, the TAI could only deliver two prototypes to the Turkish military, one of which crashed in 2013. The other prototype is stationed at an air base in Batman, southeastern Turkey, but is not operational although an original timetable stated that three Ankas should have been operational last year.

After having spent more than $200 million on the Anka program, the TAI is now aiming higher: The Anka-S, ideally to be delivered to the military in 2016.

An aviation expert said the delivery year was not “realistic at all.” He said: “Work is required to make the Anka lighter to fit into the promised specifications. I am not sure how soon the TAI can make that.”

Meanwhile, the Turkish military’s persistent push to buy an extra batch of Korean-made KT-1 basic trainers could prune export prospects for the Hürkuş, including to the Pakistani military.

“Why should foreign militaries be enthusiastic about a system for which the producing country’s own military is not enthusiastic?” a defense analyst said.

Turkey has signed a deal with the TAI to buy 10 Hürkuş units, but is pushing for a follow-on order from Korean Aerospace Industries for 15 KT-1s in an approximately $150 million deal. In 2007, Turkey and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) signed a contract for the sale of an initial batch of 40 KT-1s, with an option for 15 more.

The aviation expert said the Turkish military is not comfortable about the Hürkuş’s delivery schedule, targeted at 2017-2018.

“Apparently, the military command fears delays in deliveries. They don’t want disruptions in their training concept,” he said.

TAI’s troubled pride: Anka and Hürkuş - DEFENSE UPDATE

BTW, one thing ties with Pak is strategical or just love. Because never, never Turkey appeared in Indian DefExpo.
Still it is filled with Russian, American, Israeli, UK, French, Italian, Brazillian etc etc.

 

[-------]

BTW, one thing ties with Pak is strategical or just love. Because never, never Turkey appeared in Indian DefExpo.
Still it is filled with Russian, American, Israeli, UK, French, Italian, Brazillian etc etc.

I don't know about that, MKEK did sell some 40mm under rifle grenade launchers to India.. MKEK also has some Pakistani engineers,,

He is same sh!t... Again he is Burak BOKDİL...

Yeah, what happened to the Female defense journalist who had nothing but bad things to say about Turkish Defense Industry, he basically took her place..

 

[xxxKULxxx]

Yeah, what happened to the Female defense journalist who had nothing but bad things to say about Turkish Defense Industry, he basically took her place..

Lale ?.. She is still on her mission...

 

[kaku1]

I don't know about that, MKEK did sell some 40mm under rifle grenade launchers to India.. MKEK also has some Pakistani engineers,,

I dont think so, any source of this?

 

[Echo_419]

Anka is a MALE (Medium-Altitude-Long-Engurance) class UAV, the author seems to be a even bigger noob in defence issues than me.


Just hilarious, im asking myself how old the author is, comparing a drone to a transport aircraft.

LOL i double checked that it was written C-130,even googled the thing to confirm it was a transport aircraft

I don't know about that, MKEK did sell some 40mm under rifle grenade launchers to India.. MKEK also has some Pakistani engineers,,



Yeah, what happened to the Female defense journalist who had nothing but bad things to say about Turkish Defense Industry, he basically took her place..

any source for this

 

[kaku1]

I think even the Indo-Turkish bilateral trade is also minimal. Dont know the correct figure.

 

[-------]

LOL i double checked that it was written C-130,even googled the thing to confirm it was a transport aircraft


any source for this

T-40 underbarrel Grenade Launcher fitted to Indian Tavor

Thats Indian bro.

Link: In PHOTOS: DRDO's 20 most potent weapon systems - Rediff.com News

Your source has an incorrect photo, I'm sure DRDO does have an 40mm grenade launcher, but the one pictured is MKE T-40 developed (or derived from M203) in the 90s.