Final Advanced Block 50 Type F-16 Produced for the Turkish Air Force Delivered
The last F-16 produced jointly by the Turkish Aerospace Industries Inc. (TAI) and Lockheed Martin for the Air Force Command at the TAI installations within the coverage of the Peace Onyx IV Program was delivered at a ceremony to mark the occasion at TAI facilities. Hosted by TAI Chairman of the Board of Directors Yalçın Kaya, the ceremony was attended by the Deputy Undersecretary for Defence Industries (SSM) Serdar Demirel as well as various high ranking officials from the SSM, the Air Force Command and Lockheed Martin.
Speaking at the ceremony, TAI Aircraft Group President Özcan Ertem stated that the F-16 was a very important and a special aircraft and that today the 308th F-16 was delivered before the calendar deadline with great success. For this reason, extending his thanks to all TAI personnel that contributed to the project, Ertem said, “Again you have giving us great pride.” Subsequently, Lockheed Martin F-16/F-22 Integrated Combat Aircraft Group Vice President and General Manager Jeff Babione stated that it was with great joy to be attending the ceremony on behalf of Lockheed Martin. Indicating that the last Advanced Block 50 Type F-16 Aircraft delivered today was the result of the self-sacrifice, determination and hard work of TAI personnel, Babione said: “With the hope that the strong collaboration started with TAI in 1984 will grow as it continues, I wish to thank everyone that contributed to the project.” The Deputy Undersecretary for SSM Serdar Demirel, on the other hand, expressed his gratitude to officials of the American and Turkish Governments as well as Lockheed Martin and TAI employees who contributed to the successful conclusion of the Block 50 Type F-16 Project. After the remarks made at the ceremony, TAI Chairman of the Board Yalçın Kaya presented a plaque of appreciation to those who contributed to the project.
Within the coverage of the project, the Block 50 Type 30 new F-16s have been included in the inventory of the Turkish Air Force Command between May 2011 and December 2012. Out of these aircrafts, 16 are in D configuration and 14 in C configuration. While the C series completely executes fighter and bombing missions, the D series is utilized for both combat and training purposes. Selected by 25 countries, over 4,400 F-16s have been delivered throughout the globe from five assembly lines in the world. In the inventory of the Turkish Air Force there are a total of 240 F16s consisting of Block 30, Block 40 and Block 50.
