Aviation

Turkish Air Force Receives First Locally Upgraded F-16

Turkish Air Force recently received its first indigenously upgraded F-16 fighter jet. According to Presidency of Defence Industries (SSB) chairman Ismail Demir, the jet has been updated as part of Project Ozgur.

In line with the fundamental principles of Türkiye, he highlighted the importance of eliminating foreign dependence in the defense sector. although the F-16 was purchased, the “ozgür” project aims to improve its capabilities and make it genuinely Turkish.

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The Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI)-led F-16 “Ozgür” upgrade programme is aimed at equipping the Turkish Air Force’s inventory of F-16 fighter jets with domestic mission computers and software.

Savunma sanayiimizin yerli ve milli sistemlerle ÖZGÜR’leştirdiği ilk F-16’larımızı teslim ettik.

Bundan sonra F-16’larımız çok daha ileri kabiliyetlere sahip, modernize olmuş şekilde Hava Kuvvetlerimizin hizmetine devam edecek. Türkiye Yüzyılı’na armağan olsun! pic.twitter.com/Xf4SktldYM— Ismail Demir (@IsmailDemirSSB) May 18, 2023

As part of the project, 35 F-16 Block aircraft will receive a special mission computer with national avionics and national OFP software. A new mission computer with national avionics and national OFP software will be installed in 35 F-16 Block aircraft as part of the project.

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The following parts will be upgraded as part of the modernization process for the F-16 Block : a national mission computer, system interface units, cockpit upper front control panels, fuel hydraulic indicators, engine display screens, emergency indicators, national sound safety devices, national friend-foe identification (IFF) systems, multi-mode receivers, inertial navigation systems, interface blinding units, and helmet integrated aiming system.

The aircraft will also be refitted with a locally designed active electronically scanned array radar, as well as numerous indigenously developed missiles such as the Gokdogan and Bozdogan air-to-air missiles, cruise missiles, and Atmaca anti-ship missiles. The improvements will enhance the aircraft’s flight time from 8,000 to 12,000 hours.

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Aviation

Boeing, Antonov to Collaborate on Defense Projects

– MOU represents Boeing’s commitment to work with Ukrainian industry

– Includes exploring opportunities for collaborating on in-country support of Unmanned Aerial Systems

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed today by Boeing and Antonov Company to investigate potential collaboration on defense-related projects.

“We’re happy to keep collaborating with the Antonov Company to help Ukraine’s economic development and expansion,” stated Ted Colbert, CEO and president of Boeing Defence, Space, & Security.

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“This agreement demonstrates our ongoing efforts to find more opportunities to work with Ukrainian industry, which was underscored by our signing of the Ukrainian Defence Industry Compact earlier this year.”

The areas of potential collaboration identified in the agreement consist of training, logistical support and overhaul services for tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems utilized by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, which includes the ScanEagle. In addition, the companies will also explore opportunities for Antonov to provide engineering support to Boeing.

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“A strong, innovative, and efficient defense industry is key to sustainable economic development and national security, and we are extremely excited to collaborate with Boeing,” said Ievhen Gavrylov, CEO of Antonov Company.

This agreement brings a whole new level of opportunity to implement the latest and most effective solutions – in addition to the possibility of future projects with Boeing in the aerospace and defense industry.”