Turkey to Reinforce its fleet with 4 more F-35’s
While it was decided to start with the pre-designing stage of Turkish Indigenous Jet Fighter Program TF-X during the first Defence Industry Executive Committee Meeting for the year 2015, it was also decided to supply 4 more F-35’s in addition to the two F-35 which Turkey had ordered last year.
As opinions to continue to discussions and opinions continue with the bidding companies for the T-LORAMIDS (Turkish Long Range Air and Missile Defence System) program, whose finalization was expected for a long time, as expressed in the meeting, the decision for the realization of serial production of MPT-76 Modern Infantry Rifle where the delivery of the first lot of 200 units was completed last year, in coordination with the private sector and Mechanical and Chemical Industry Corporation, was made.
The first DIEC meeting for the year 2015 met under the Chairmanship of the Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu with important agenda articles, at the Defence Industry Undersecretary. The decisions reached at the meeting, lasting approximately five hours, were shared publicly at the press meeting held after and organized by the Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu.
Time is running out for the final decision of T-LORAMIDS Program
Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu expressing that they have considered the final stage reached in the Turkish Long Range Air and Missile Defence System Program executed by the Undersecretariat for Defence Industry said, “We discussed the developments related to the missile defence system, watched closely by our public opinion as well as globally. Previously, as you know, proposals of American, French- Italian consortium and Chinese companies were on the carpet. There were topics considered as important by Turkey, especially on technologic transfer and national production subjects. We considered the latest proposals once more and we also reached at an agreement that the discussions would continue. During these discussions taking the priorities of Turkey as a basis, as it has been the case until now; in other words considering the basic priorities like the increase of the local content, technological transfer, cost and delivery period; we have authorized the Undersecretary of Defence Industry to continue with these discussions.”
Under the coverage of this program, with the DIEC decision reached on September 2013, it was decided to start the contract negotiations under the scope of T-LORAMIDS program with the Chinese Company, CPMIEC. But during the period of 16 months from then on, a full settlement under the required conditions has not been made still to sign an agreement. Especially the Chinese party not willing to transfer the critical technologies they have committed has blocked the two- sided discussions. On the other hand, it is stated that discussions with the French- Italian consortium and the American companies resting on the second and third rows in the bid are also continuing effectively. With this decision informed, defence sources express that the time for the final decision is getting tight, that no other prolongation related to the process could be made now, and that Turkey will define the future of the program with a mid-term decision within 6 months at its latest.
Pre designing stage has been started in the TF-X program
One of the important agenda articles considered at the Defence Industry Executive Committee was the TF-X Turkish Indigenous Jet Fighter Program. After the evaluations performed, it was decided to pass on to the Pre- Design stage, the second phase of the TF-X Program. Conceptual Design Stage, the first phase of the program was completed previously at the end of the year 2013. Under this scope, in order to determine the requirements of the operation, requirement analysis studies, definition of aircraft and system/subsystem concepts, research on national feasibility and ability, and studies on international cooperation models were completed by the authorities of the Air Force Command , TAI and Undersecretariat for Defence Industries and presented to the Executive Committee.
Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu sharing the details on the subject with the publicity spoke as “Indigenous Fighter Jet Development Program, is Turkey’s own Fighter Jet aircraft production project. Previously this subject was decided on in principle, now it is decided to pass on to the pre-designing phase. Thus, the pre-designing phase will be completed within 4 years at its latest. I would like to express proudly here that our goal is to realize the first prototype production of the indigenous jet aircraft on the year 2023.” Davutoğlu stating that they will choose one of the 3 configurations determined previously during the conceptual designing phase moreover spoke as “This will be completely an indigenous, unique design. It will be a model where the demands and preferences of Turkey will be stepping forward. We are emphasizing on the most powerful one of these choices where twin engine shall be the basis.”
Even though it seems like the twin engine option has been stepping forward as to these explanations of the Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu, the military and defence authorities are stating that they will continue to execute their studies for the selection of engine and configuration of the other choices concurrently. The final decision on the configuration of the aircraft will be made as a result of the decision on the model which will satisfy the operation requirements of Turkey (long range flight, endurance, high maneuverability capability, more weapon payload, strike power, stall speed, cost etc). The configurations determined at the conceptual design phase consist of 3 configurations where 2 of them are single-engine and one of them is twin-engine configuration. On the other hand, the possibility of obtaining technical consultancy from a foreign partner on specific topics within the concept of the program is still in the agenda.
Turkey purchasing 4 more F-35 Joint Strike Fighter
In addition to the 2 units of F-35 planes ordered during the meeting of the Defence Industry Executive Committee last year, 4 more units of F-35 JSF (Joint Strike Fighter) have been ordered. Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu, informing the press members about topic, stated that they have decided to order 4 more units in addition to the previous 2 units of the new generation F-35 JSF planes which was planned to be supplied until the year 2030 at a total of 100 units. It is planned to deliver to Turkey 2 units of F-35 A Block 3F configuration ordered on in the first quarter of the year 2014 during the year 2018. At the first stage the objective is for these aircrafts to stay in United States and to be used for the training and education of the Turkish Air Force pilots. On the other hand, it is mentioned that the orders made for the 4 units during the Defence Industry Executive Committee meeting will also have the Block 3F configuration and will be delivered to Turkey between the years 2019-2022. Within the framework of the supply program, the order Turkey shall give during the coming period is expected to increase gradually. Turkey is expected to increase the supply units to 10 in the next order.
Private Sector and the MCIC will realize the serial production of Modern Infantry Rifle
The serial production process is starting in the 200 units of MPT- 76 Modern Infantry Rifle program delivered to the Turkish Armed Forces as the first lot in the year 2014.
Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu, stating that they have decided to start the serial production of the MPT-76 Modern Infantry Rifle said that “We will produce 35 thousand modern infantry rifles in the first phase. We have evaluated the required decisions and the studies up to date and decided to start the serial production.
Under the coverage of this program, to expand the existing serial production lines of the Mechanical Chemical Industry Corporation, as well the inclusion of one of the private sector firms having the technical qualification in the serial production process is aimed. The goal is to increase the serial production line to 35.000 in the first stage of the serial production. It planned to change the 700.00 units of the oldest infantry rifle in the inventory of Turkish Armed Forces within 20 years under the coverage of Turkey’s Modern Infantry Rifle requirements.
CH-47 F will be purchased for Special Forces
One of the decisions made at the Defence Industry Executive Committee was to order additional 5 other units of the previously ordered 6 units of CH-47 Chinook heavy lift helicopters. Davutoğlu, saying that they have decided to purchase 5 more units of CH-47F Chinook type heavy lift helicopters, of which 6 units were decided to be purchased before having a crucial importance, especially from the air force and transfer aspects, said that with these purchases Turkey has reached an important capacity in air transport.
4 units of these ordered CH-47 Chinook Heavy Lift Helicopters will be allocated to the Turkish General Staff and one unit to the Ministry of National Defence. The helicopters demanded by the Ministry of Defence are intended to be re-designed internally as a V.I.P office and allocated Presidentially.
The Chinook helicopters completing their first flight in the year 1961 and delivered to the USA army had their first experience in the Vietnam War. The helicopter designed to carry heavy loads in the battle field has been produced more than 1200 in number from the year 1962 until today. Chinook produced by the Boeing company, different from other helicopter types, has been developed with twin-engine and with tandem rotor heavy-lift helicopter. As the motor placed on the rear provides both the lift and the progress, 2 tandem rotors provide superiorities to the helicopter about both a wide volume and weight lifting. Chinook with this unique design on its own can carry two heavy loads each under one rotor. Chinooks that can carry loads over 12.000 kg’s with the hooks under the body can moreover transfer 55 military personnel in full equipment to the operation region. Chinooks having total weight of 22.000 Kg full lifting, can also be used for soldier movement and search and rescue objectives apart from heavy lift transfer objective. The operation range of Chinooks, which can reach a pretty high speed in comparison to heavy lift helicopters; maximum 315km’s in an hour; is more than 700 km’s range. Turkey will be the last user of the Chinooks, used in 17 countries around the whole world. Under the total coverage of the 600 million dollar agreement, the ordered 11 helicopters are expected to be included in the inventory of Turkey until the year 2019.
