Open menu Search

Turkish Air Force F-16 fighter upgrade moves ahead with first deliveries

23rd May 2023 - 11:00 GMT | by Tayfun Özberk in Istanbul

RSS

The first Block 30 jets upgraded under the Ozgur modernisation programme have been delivered back to the Turkish Air Force. (Photo: SSB)

The Ozgur upgrade to Turkish Air Force F-16 jets, carried out by Turkish Aerospace industries, claims to bring the aircraft up to a standard equivalent to the latest Block 70/72 model, using domestically developed avionics and subsystems.

On 18 May, the head of the Turkish Defence Agency (SSB), Ismail Demir, announced the first delivery of F-16 Block 30 fighter jets to the Turkish Air Force Command under the Ozgur upgrade project.

‘We have delivered our first F-16s, which our defence industry has freed up with domestic and national systems. From now on, our F-16s will continue to serve our air force with much more advanced capabilities,’ Demir posted on Twitter.

He also shared a video demonstrating some of the capabilities of the upgraded jets.

Although officials have not revealed detailed information about further deliveries and the wider

Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®

A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.

LEARN MORE
Tayfun Özberk

Author

Tayfun Özberk


Tayfun Ozberk is a former naval officer who is an expert in surface warfare, particularly …

Read full bio

Share to

Linkedin