M8 Buford Armored Gun System (AGS) Light Tank:
Late in 1997, FNSS Defense Systems of Turkey and United Defense LP, teamed to offer the M8 AGS to the Turkish Land Forces Command (TLFC).
In September 1997, the second of the six prototype M8 AGS built with the highest protection Level III was demonstrated in Turkey during which it undertook firepower and mobility demonstrations for the TLFC.
According to United Defense LP, the M8 AGS is well suited to peacekeeping operations, such as Bosnia, where the TLFC has been deployed, as well as being used in traditional roles of reconnaissance.
As well as being less expensive to procure than an MBT, the M8 AGS has a much lower life cycle cost. According to United Defense, the fuel cost of the M8 AGS is US$0.60 per km compared to US$5.35 per km of a MBT with spare parts per km being US$35 and US$137 respectively.
The M8 is armed with a 105 mm M35 rifled gun, fed by an automatic loader, which fires the same natures of ammunition as all of the MBTs (Leopard 1, M48 and M60 series) currently in service with the TLFC.
If selected by Turkey, the M8 would be manufactured under licence by FNSS Defense Systems which is a joint venture company established to build 1,698 Armoured Infantry Fighting Vehicles.
The existing Turkish AIFV machinery, tooling and fixtures could be reconfigured for the M8 AGS with a minimum of investment according to United Defense.
Army Guide - LP M8 AGS, Light tank
We will have to,by the time we decide on a system(T-Lorimads),it will be obsolete.
The TFX project,what good is it when we dont have a decent engine with enough power and when the fighter is not even comparable with other 5th gen fighters?
Just take a look at the available engines(if they would sell us).
By the time we start production,the rest will have 6th gen.
Gotta start somewhere. There are basically 3 options. Buy, join someone elses program, or make your own. If south korea gave turkey equal partnership in k-fx program things would go smoothly. They are expecting kfx to be ready in 2025. Idk how tfx will be ready in 2023.
The good thing is that a significant # of f-35s will come into service and none of the neighbors will have anything like that by the time tfx is ready assuming it ever does become ready.
Good thing none of the neighbors are a serious threat.We can take our time with tfx.
