Turkey halts US F‑16 upgrade plan, turns to local tech
Turkey has announced the termination of talks regarding the acquisition of an American modernization package for F-16 aircraft. Ankara intends to modernize its fighters independently and is one of the few countries worldwide with the capability to do so.
It's worth highlighting that Turkey has not only built the second-largest NATO army but also developed a defense industry envied by many other nations.
Turkey is one of the largest operators of F-16 aircraft globally, currently operating 234 of these jets, most of which were built through licensed production in Turkish factories. Since Ankara was excluded from the F-35 program in 2019, its air force, which also operates the remaining aging F-4 Phantoms, has faced significant challenges with its aging combat aircraft fleet.
The solution to this challenge was initially seen in the purchase of additional F-16s from the USA in the latest F-16C/D Block 70/72 variant, along with the modernization of 79 of its existing aircraft to this standard (brand new aircraft are Block 70/72, while modernized ones are F-16V).
The cost of the entire modernization program was estimated to reach $20 billion. Despite the U.S. Department of State approving the sale of new aircraft and the modernization of older ones in January 2024, Ankara opted to pursue an alternative path.
Turkey still plans to purchase new F-16s but aims to modernize its existing aircraft using its domestic industry. Outside the United States and Israel, Turkey is the only country with this capability.
Turkey modernizes F-16s
This capability stems from Turkey possessing the source codes for the F-16C/D Block 30 variant, a situation established in 2011. Since then, Ankara has independently modernized its aircraft and offers such services to foreign clients, including Pakistan.
The modernization of Turkish F-16s is based on the Özgür (Turkish for Free) program, developed by TAI (TUSAŞ), and includes a comprehensive avionics upgrade — likely involving the radar — with products from the domestic industry.
Notably, their offer includes the modern AESA Murad radar, designed for the Turkish 5th-generation fighter TAI Kaan and combat drones. In February 2024, Turkey conducted the maiden flight of the first F-16 equipped with this radar.
In the context of Turkey's actions, it’s worth comparing to the Polish modernization program for the F-16. Poland's aircraft will be upgraded by the American industry, which will cost Polish taxpayers up to $7.3 billion (though the final price will likely be lower).
F-35 for Turkey after all?
Simultaneously, Turkey has resumed efforts to acquire the F-35. Although Ankara partially financed the aircraft's development and intended to purchase at least 100 units, it was excluded from purchases due to its order of the Russian S-400 anti-aircraft systems. This order breached alliance agreements and raised concerns about the possibility of Russian access to sensitive F-35 information.
Currently, six years after the exclusion decision, Turkey has renewed its efforts to obtain the F-35. A potential negotiation point is Ankara's prospective order of several dozen Eurofighter aircraft.
During negotiations, it has also been proposed — as detailed by Konflikty.pl — to place the S-400 at the American İncirlik base in Turkey. Regardless of these efforts, Ankara is advancing its own 5th-generation aircraft, the TAI Kaan.
From importer to producer of modern weapons
This progress underscores Turkey's transformation from a country that allocated $15-20 billion annually to defense into a nation with a burgeoning defense sector. It has achieved these capabilities through research and technology transfers associated with licensed production of various weapon models.
The outcomes of these efforts are becoming evident. In the early 21st century, Turkey was an arms importer reliant on foreign technologies. Now, it is gradually rearming its military with equipment it controls in terms of production, modernization, and even export.
The backbone of the Turkish armed forces still includes hundreds of older foreign pieces of equipment — tanks from the M60 family, Leopard 1s, older variants of Leopard 2s, M110 howitzers, and thousands of M113 transporters.
The process of replacement has begun, with the Turkish industry increasing its production of modern equipment. The list of Turkish advancements, especially in comparison to other NATO countries, is impressive.
Modernization of the army by its industry
Turkey manufactures its own Altay main battle tanks (developed with South Korea), T-155 Fırtına howitzers (also in collaboration with Seoul), light-wheeled ARPAN-155 howitzers, several models of multiple rocket launchers (some developed in partnership with China), and ballistic missiles—both tactical (Bora system) and short-range (Tayfun) and medium-range (Cenk).
The Turkish industry also produces helicopters and drones of various sizes and purposes. It is developing a 5th-generation aircraft called TAI Kaan and aviation armaments, such as the air-to-air missiles Bozdoğan and Gökdoğan, which will enter service in 2024.
Modern submarines of the Reis type (a licensed variant of the German Type 214) and surface ships are being constructed in Turkish shipyards. Until recently, these were licensed versions of German (MEKO) and American (modified Oliver Hazard Perry class) units. In 2024, the first of eight ordered Istif-class frigates, designed from scratch in Turkey and armed with the Turkish domestic anti-ship Atmaca, entered service.
These advances are part of the ambitious MILGEM program, initiated in 2004. Under this program, Ankara is also building corvettes or patrol vessels for export to Pakistan, Ukraine, and Malaysia, and will soon start on missile destroyers (eight ordered TF-2000 units).
Additionally, the first landing ship TGC Anadolu, commissioned in 2023, was built in a Turkish shipyard in collaboration with Spain and features a flight deck designed not only for helicopters but also for large drones.
