Turkish Air Forces Gear Up the First A400M “Atlas”
The first Turkish A400M Atlas Military Aircraft after undergoing unit controls was delivered on 12 May 2014. A ceremony to mark the occasion was attended by President Abdullah Gül, Minister of National Defence Ismet Yılmaz, Chief of Staff Gen. Necdet Özel, Air Force Commander Gen. Akın Öztürk, military and defence officials. The acceptance document signed on 4 April 2014 saw the A400M Atlas Aircraft take off from Seville, Spain to the 12th Air Transport Base Command at Erkilet, Kayseri. The first of the A400M Aircraft to be delivered to Turkey, the aircraft will be assigned to the 221st fleet of the 12th Air Transport Main Base Command at Kayseri.
Speaking at the ceremony, President Abdullah Gül stressed that Turkey was one of the first nations to “build an aircraft before a car” and said, “I want to say with pride and satisfaction that Turkey, having joined the consortium that owns and builds the most powerful transport aircraft in the world, has undertaken important strides. We continue to meet the needs of the Turkish Armed Forces. It is well known that the security strategies of Turkey it is not an easy matter. Many of the areas of conflict in the world are near Turkey. That these problems will continue in this geography can be seen when we look at NATO maps. Last February we participated in a ceremony to mark Turkey’s first HIK aircraft that was delivered to Konya. The A400M will be a total of 10 aircrafts. The first we have received today. We use the C-130 and C-160 aircrafts in Libya, in Iraq and in Afghanistan. We are now purchasing bigger transport carriers that go longer distances. This is an indication of the capacity increase of our Air Force. We are taking an important step in terms of strategy. We are taking a step consistent with new NATO programmes. The use of these capabilities with the other components of the alliance is a requirement adopted in Chicago in 2012. Based on the decision taken in Chicago we are developing and producing with our allies the aircraft we have purchased. These large projects are long-term projects. If you don’t take these decisions on time, if you don’t participate in these projects on time, the opportunities are gone. From now on it will be like this.”
President Gül said that certain projects can take years but that signing and advancing on these historical decisions involves their responsibility toward the state. President Gül continued by saying, “These projects known as ‘smart defence’ continue with the A400M aircrafts. Nations are taking their precautions after the Cold War. Now mobile units can rapidly be deployed at far distances. Today’s wars are not like yesterdays. Our goal has always been peace and to avoid war. Should there be a war we must show that we are ready. We said that we would use these weapons with our allies. What needs to be transferred to long distances is not only soldiers but weapons and other cargo. You understand that I am not talking about guns and rifles. We have the strength to send combat vehicles, such as small aircraft, helicopters, guns and howitzers to long distances in the most expeditious manner. Under present combat conditions these types of aircraft are very important in cross border interventions. Therefore, the step we have taken is very important. Aircraft of this quality are not present in many countries. Turkey is the second nation after France to possess these aircrafts. We will receive a part of the planes we produce. Our flag is also waving together with the flags of the other nations in the consortium. We will provide our responsibility to humanity including Afghanistan with these aircrafts. I consider it to be very important that this aircraft is in the inventory in terms of Turkey’s reputation.”
Air Force Commander Gen. Akın Öztürk, on the other hand, said, “We are aiming for the top with the founding saying, “The future is in the skies” and are racing with our century. Within this context, we have put to service the F-16, T-38M and KT-1T simulators and are using them effectively in the training of our pilots. In February we included the first HIK aircraft to the inventory of our Air Force. Today, we are putting to service the first A-400M that will provide global access. With the support of our state and our nation we are adding to our strength and moving towards our goals in a correct and firm manner.”
The A400M strategic transport aircraft has heavy and bulky material handling capacity; high speed and long range; a ‘glass’ cockpit, air refuelling, advanced self-defence mechanisms; a mission planning and maintenance information system; advanced avionics and data link and is built with state-of-the-art technology. The Air Force will use the A400M aircrafts for tactical missions such as troop and cargo airdrops and logistic missions such as long range troop deployment and passenger and cargo transport.
Together with the A400M entering the inventory of the Air Force, not only will more heavy and bulky materials be transported in a single flight but also weapon systems and vehicles that could not be transported by air before can now be transported from one location to another. With the A400M, the operational radius of the Air Force will expand from 3,000 NM to 5,000 NM without air refuelling. The aircraft with its 37 tonne transport capacity and 420 NM/H speed, will increase the power projection capability and the reaction rate of the Air Force. With the inclusion of these aircrafts, vehicles needed for missions in Afghanistan such as helicopters and ZPT that are transported with existing transport aircrafts will be able to be transported with the A400M. The A400M aircraft can carry Cougar and Sikorsky type helicopters, armoured vehicles and light weight tanks that do not exceed 32 tonnes. The Aircraft can also transport 6 Land Rover Jeeps in one flight, or 2 medium-sized cargo trucks or 3 ZPT or 2 Atak helicopters and carry vehicles, equipment and cargo to deployment sites at high speed. Within the coverage of the project, the Air Force will receive one aircraft each in 2013 and 2014, and 2 aircrafts each year between 2015 and 2018. The final A400M or the 10th aircraft will be delivered in 2018.
The A400M strategic transport aircrafts will double the speed, range and weigh transport capacity of the Air Force and with air refuelling the TSK will have the capability to undertake operations in almost any part of the globe.
