Final Deliveries of Pakistan’s F-16 Modernization Program Completed
Pakistan Air Vice Marshal Sohail Aman, Ambassador of Pakistan to Turkey Mr. Muhammed Haroon Shaukat, Air Forces Chief of Staff Lt Gen. Mehmet Şanver, Undersecretariat for Defence Industries System Projects and Logistics Deputy Undersecretary Dr. Faruk Özlü, TAI Chairman of the Board Mr. Yalçın Kaya, Turkish Armed Forces Foundation (TAFF) Deputy General Manager Mr. Atilla Gürdere, TAI CEO & General Manager Mr. Muharrem Dörtkaşlı and many executives attended the ceremony. In his speech at the ceremony, TAI Chairman of the Board Mr. Yalçın Kaya mentioned that the two countries worked in close cooperation during the program, it lasted for five years and as a reflection of this effective cooperation the program was accomplished in a timely manner. Moreover, Mr. Kaya pointed out that Lockheed Martin provided support to the program in technical issues and expressed that these modernized aircrafts would strengthen Pakistan Air Forces.
Pakistan Air Vice Marshal Sohail Aman underlined that the defence industry was going through a global change and that the air forces had an important role in this change. Aman expressed that as a country, they knew that Turkey was on their side in every aspect and added that they hoped to continue this successful cooperation in future programs as well.
TAI Integrated Aircraft Group Head Mr. Özcan Ertem expressed his contentment regarding the completion of the program and thanked everyone for their efforts for the project. Mr. Ertem informed the participants regarding the program’s course and added that they stood out among their tough rivals in 2009 and won the race, that the first aircraft arrived in Turkey in October 2010 and following a 16 month long extensive study they delivered the first aircraft to Pakistan Air Forces in February 2012. “Within the scope of the program, 41 aircrafts received Mid Life Update (MLU) avionics upgrade and 31 of them received Falcon Star (FS) structural upgrade. Basic tasks of TAI were performed; Receipt, maintenance and preparation of the aircraft for modification, Apply MLU and Falcon Star modifications and checkouts, Functional check flights of each modified aircraft and prepare/support aircraft for PAF acceptance and ferry flights” added Mr.Ertem.
115 Test Flights Accomplished within the Scope of the Program
Avionic and Structural modernization of Pakistan Air Forces’ 41 F-16 aircrafts was accomplished within the scope of the program that entered into force with the signing of a contract between TAI and Pakistan Ministry of Defence in 2009. 626.000 hours of engineer work was exerted during the program that required intensive labor. In addition to various ground and flight tests, TAI test pilots conducted 115 test flights during the program. Besides the modernization studies, TAI provided in-class and on-the-job trainings to Pakistan Air Forces’ personnel and thus contributed significantly to Pakistan Air Forces in gaining technical capabilities.
