The Turkish Hurjet combat training fighter will be equipped with national weapons, after which it can partially replace the F-16 aircraft of the Turkish Air Force. Such plans were announced by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during the presentation ceremony of new models of combat aviation in the city of Kahramankanzan.
According to Erdogan, Hurjet will receive domestic weapons and radars, reports TASS. Separate squadrons will be formed from the Turkish fighter. The president also said that the armed forces planned to place Hurjet on the deck of the recently introduced TCG Anadolu first domestic aircraft carrier and landing gear.
Turkey’s Hurjet light combat and training aircraft took to the skies on April 25. It was created by the domestic aircraft manufacturer Turkish Aerospace Industries, TAI. Earlier it was reported that Turkey may refuse to buy American F-16 fighters and consider other options.
Ankara has repeatedly had difficulties with the purchase of American planes. In particular, Washington froze Turkey’s participation in the F-35 fifth-generation fighter production program due to the purchase of Russian S-400 air defense systems. The Turkish president demanded that the United States provide fighters to the country or return the money to him. Erdogan said Turkey is able to find a replacement for US aircraft or establish its own production.
Read the Russia Ukraine News on The Eastern Herald.
