Last of the aircrafts that were modernized within the scope of the F-16 Modernization Programme (PO-III) have been delivered to the Turkish Air Forces at a ceremony held at TAI’s facilities. Commander of the Turkish Air Forces General Akın Öztürk, Undersecretary for Defence Industries Prof. İsmail Demir, representatives of the National Defence Ministry and Undersecretariat for Defence Industries, high level commanders of the Turkish General Staff and Air Forces Command, TAI Chairman of the Board Mr. Nejat Bilgin, TAI President and CEO Mr. Muharrem Dörtkaşlı and other representatives of the defence industry companies attended the ceremony.  

At the delivery ceremony of the final aircraft, Mr.Nejat Bilgin - TAI’s new Chairman of the Board took the floor. In his speech, Mr. Bilgin expressed their contentment about the delivery of the modernized 163rd and last F-16 aircraft that would increase the operational capability of the Air Forces Command and added, “Within the scope of this programme, we accomplished the modernization of 163 F-16 Block 40 and Block 50 aircrafts. A period of five years has passed since the signature of the agreement on the programme. With the devoted efforts of the officials of TAI, Air Forces Command and Undersecretariat for Defence Industries, the programme was resulted fruitfully in a timely manner. This programme sets an example in an international scale with its heavy schedule, the high quantity of simultaneously modernized aircrafts and active modernization period. I would like to express my gratitude to those who contributed to this Project”.