The Defence Industry Executive Committee (SSİK), held in December 2022, decided to modernise Turkish F-16s. TURDEF stated that the entire Turkish F-16 Fighting Falcon fleet would be modernised. Exclusive sources speaking to TurDef confirmed the plan and stated that the Turkish Defence Industry Agency (SSB) is planning to modernise the entire F-16 fleet of the Turkish Air Force.
Turkish intention to modernise 79 F-16 aircraft at the level of Block 70 is the agenda. The rest of the aircraft will be upgraded with the Özgür project. TURDEF Exclusive sources said that the process is planned to carry out in a seven-year period. After the modernisation, Turkiye will integrate domestic and indigenous weapon solutions into aircraft.Turkish Air Force is waiting for US approval as most of the equipment will be provided by the USA for Block 70 kits. On the other hand, Turkiye is carrying out domestic modernisation process research and development activities under the name of the “Özgür (Free / Independent)” Project.Turkiye is using many indigenous components for Özgür Project. In particular, the MGB (Millî Görev Bilgisayarı / Indigenous Mission Computer), which provides single-source management of the avionics infrastructure, is essential in reducing external dependency in many critical areas as delivering advanced capabilities to the pilot.
Domestic IFF Mod 5/S devices will also offer a modern friend-foe identification capability. MİLSEC-3, equivalent to NATO KY58 and KY100, provides encrypted communication. The planned AESA radar integration will also increase the aircraft’s current engagement, detection, tracking and surveillance infrastructure. ASELSAN’s MURAD, which is stated to have better performance than APG-83, will enhance the aircraft’s detecting and targeting capabilities.
TurDef Exclusive News. It can be republished by referring TurDef.
