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Turkey shocks the U.S.: Drops F-16 fighters deal, goes local

Turkey has shocked its NATO partner, the United States, by refusing to purchase packages to modernize the Turkish Air Force’s existing F-16s. Instead, Ankara plans to carry out the modernization with its own resources, developed locally in recent years.

“We gave up on this 79. This is why we gave up: Our Turkish Aerospace Industries [TUSAS] facilities are capable of carrying out this modernization on their own, so we deferred to them,” the Turkish Minister of Defense Guler added.

BulgarianMilitary.com recalls that after lengthy negotiations earlier this year, the United States gave the green light to a deal with NATO ally Turkey for 40 new F-16 Fighting Falcon multi-role fighters and 79 modernization kits for Ankara’s existing F-16 fleet. However, this week, Turkey changed course and announced that it would abandon the purchase of the kits.

Turkish Aerospace Industries [TUSAS], a cornerstone of Turkey’s ambitious defense industry, has positioned itself as a capable player in modernizing F-16 Fighting Falcons.

Through a mix of local ingenuity and robust defense programs, Turkey has developed several indigenous systems that serve as functional equivalents—or near equivalents—to American components used in F-16 upgrades.

These developments reflect Ankara’s desire to enhance self-sufficiency and reduce dependence on foreign suppliers, particularly in light of geopolitical frictions.

A critical aspect of F-16 modernization involves avionics, where Turkey has developed its Mission Computer, called the Özgün Aviyonik Sistem [OAS]. This indigenous system replaces the American Modular Mission Computer [MMC] and offers a flexible architecture capable of integrating new weapons and sensors.

The OAS, developed by ASELSAN, features open software architecture, allowing seamless upgrades over time without reliance on external technology providers. This capability is essential for Turkey, as it has sought to integrate its own munitions, such as the SOM-J cruise missile and the HGK guided bomb kits, which would otherwise require American certification for U.S.-provided systems.

For radar systems, Turkey has developed the AESA [Active Electronically Scanned Array] radar technology, a direct challenge to American systems like Northrop Grumman’s AN/APG-83 SABR. ASELSAN’s MURAD AESA radar, which was unveiled as part of Turkey’s fifth-generation TFX project, is also being considered for retrofitting existing F-16s.

This radar promises improved range, multi-target tracking, and electronic warfare capabilities. While it has yet to match the operational history of U.S. systems, MURAD represents a significant step in Turkey’s radar technology development.

In the realm of electronic warfare [EW], ASELSAN has made strides with systems like the SPEWS-II, an indigenous self-protection electronic warfare suite. This system provides a Turkish alternative to the U.S.-built AN/ALQ-211 Advanced Integrated Defensive Electronic Warfare Suite [AIDEWS].

SPEWS-II offers enhanced threat detection and jamming capabilities tailored to the specific operational needs of the Turkish Air Force. Its integration into Turkish F-16s underscores Ankara’s commitment to reducing vulnerabilities that could stem from foreign EW dependencies.

For cockpit upgrades, Turkey has developed advanced avionics displays and interfaces, comparable to those found in Lockheed Martin’s F-16V Block 70/72 variant.

ASELSAN’s work in this area includes high-resolution multifunction displays and modernized head-up displays [HUDs] designed to improve pilot situational awareness. These systems ensure compatibility with advanced sensors and weapon systems, making the upgraded F-16s comparable to their most modern counterparts.

Weapon system integration is another critical area of independence. Turkey’s extensive portfolio of indigenous munitions has pushed its F-16 upgrades beyond reliance on American systems.

The SOM-J, developed by TUBITAK SAGE and Roketsan, is a prime example, providing a long-range precision strike capability designed to fit within F-16s’ internal weapons bays. Additionally, the GÖKDOĞAN and BOZDOĞAN air-to-air missiles, Turkey’s answer to the AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-9X Sidewinder, respectively, highlight the country’s growing autonomy in missile technology.

Turkey’s modernization packages also emphasize structural life-extension programs, enabling F-16s to surpass their designed service life through a combination of indigenous materials and repair techniques.

TUSAS has invested heavily in this capability, including advanced composite repairs and structural reinforcements, allowing older Block 30 airframes to remain mission-capable in demanding operational environments.

Despite these advancements, Turkey faces limitations in replicating certain U.S. technologies. For instance, integration of cutting-edge datalink systems akin to the Multifunction Advanced Data Link [MADL] used in the F-35 remains a challenge.

While Turkey has developed indigenous datalink systems such as Link-16 variants, achieving the full interoperability and low-probability-of-detection features of American systems remains an ongoing effort.

The geopolitical dimension of Turkey’s F-16 modernization program cannot be overlooked. The country’s removal from the F-35 program and subsequent arms restrictions have accelerated the push for local alternatives. This approach, however, is not without its risks.

The operational performance and reliability of indigenous systems, while impressive on paper, have yet to be fully validated in the field. Furthermore, reliance on domestically developed technology could limit Turkey’s ability to integrate systems and maintain compatibility with NATO partners, creating potential strategic challenges.

In sum, TUSAS and its Turkish partners have demonstrated substantial capability in delivering comprehensive F-16 modernization solutions. By replacing key American systems with indigenous alternatives, Turkey is carving a path toward self-reliance. Yet, this journey remains fraught with technological and political hurdles that will test the resilience of Ankara’s ambitions.

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