Türkiye’s HÜRKUŞ hits target with massive payload in historic air exercise

The Turkish defence industry showcased a significant milestone during the ongoing Anatolian Phoenix 2025 military exercise, as the domestically developed HÜRKUŞ aircraft successfully deployed a one-ton bomb in a live-fire demonstration.

Defence Turk shared via the social media platform X, the exercise highlighting Türkiye’s growing capabilities across a wide spectrum of military operations — including command and control, communications, electronic warfare systems, and joint operational coordination, Caliber.Az reports.

🔵🇹🇷Anadolu Ankası 2025 Tatbikatı'nda Seçkin Gözlemci Günü

🔸Tatbikat kapsamında, yerli ve milli savunma sanayiinin sahadaki kabiliyetleri başarıyla sergilendi; komuta-kontrolden haberleşmeye, elektronik sistemlerden operasyonel koordinasyona kadar birçok unsur başarıyla test… pic.twitter.com/RU69BESdN9

— Defence Turk (@Defence_Turk) May 23, 2025

The exercise, held in central Türkiye, brought together various elements of the Turkish Armed Forces to test interoperability and tactical precision. Among the most striking moments of the event was the successful release of a one-ton precision-guided munition by a HÜRKUŞ light attack and training aircraft — marking the first time the aircraft has demonstrated such a payload capability in a combat simulation.

The new advanced version of Hürkuş, Türkiye’s primary trainer aircraft, named Hürkuş-II, made its maiden flight on December 30, 2024, marking its entry into the competitive market for that class of trainers dominated by Swiss, American and Brazilian aircraft. The trainer has been developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI or TUSAŞ) for the Turkish Air Force.

The HÜRKUŞ program continues to evolve with upgrades tailored for light combat and close air support roles, offering both versatility and cost-effectiveness for domestic and potential export markets.

By Vafa Guliyeva