Türkiye to upgrade F-16s without US assistance
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REGION  29 March 2023 - 12:06

Türkiye is planning to modernise its F-16 fleet on its own due to the US government's refusal to provide the related services.

The Turkish F-16 fighter jet modernization project, initiated by the Turkish Defence Industries, has been named “Özgür”, Caliber.Az reports, citing Twitter of Savunma Sanayi ST.

F-16 Blok 70’in yerli muadili ‘ÖZGÜR’ için yeni karar

- Türk F-16'larını 'ÖZGÜR'leştiren projenin kapsamı genişletilecek

- F-16 Blok 70 ile muadil tutulan ÖZGÜR'de, iki başarılı prototip ortaya çıktı

Detaylar, haberimizde:

— SavunmaSanayiST.com (@SavunmaSanayiST) March 26, 2023

The project aims to bring Türkiye’s fighter jets up to the level of the American F-16 Block 70/72.

The project envisages that the F-16s in Block 30, 40, and 50 versions will receive a completely new digital cockpit with data output directly into the pilot's helmet in augmented reality mode.

A key part of the upgrade will be the integration of the local equivalent of Link 16, the primary communication system installed on NATO aircraft, which recognises other aircraft in 'friend-or-foe' mode.

The “Özgür” programme also requires the Turkish aerospace industry to work on its own version of a digital ground proximity warning system integrated into the Turkish Air Force's F-16 fleet.

The integration of a new Turkish radar with an active antenna array from the Turkish company Aselsan is supposed to be the biggest part of the whole “Özgür” modernisation project.

It has also long been speculated that Türkiye is developing its own versions of missiles that are part of the original F-16 Block 70 weaponry. Last July, Türkiye’s successfully tested Merlin and Peregrin missiles to replace the American AIM-120 AMRAAM.

According to public records, Türkiye has some 260 aircraft of various modifications in service, including the F-16C Block 30, F-16C Block 50, F-16D Block 30 and F-16D Block 50.

Caliber.Az