TUSAŞ Unveiled the National Combat Aircraft
During the ceremony, TUSAŞ showcased its domestically developed and produced fixed-wing and rotary-wing platforms, as well as several modernized platforms, in the static display area. The event, resembling an international air show in an open area, garnered significant interest from national and international press representatives. The National Combat Aircraft and HÜRJET were positioned farther away from the runway, while the F-16 Block-30 aircraft which underwent the ÖZGÜR avionics modernization, was displayed at the far end of the static area, attracting attention as it had never been photographed at any previous event. Sikorsky T-70 helicopters which were produced under license at TUSAŞ facilities and were recently delivered to the Gendarmerie General Command and the General Directorate of Forestry, were also displayed at the static display area. The ANKA-II and AKSUNGUR Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, and the HÜRKUŞ Air-Ground Integration Aircraft were also showcased. Also on display were the delta-wing ANKA-III Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV), undergoing high-speed taxi tests and soon to make its first flight, and the flying prototype of the ŞİMŞEK High-Speed Target Drone, which will serve as the loyal wingman of the ANKA-III. The SOM-J Stand-off-Missile, which can be carried at the weapon bay station of the ANKA-III UCAV, the TOLUN GPS/INS Guided Ammunition on the Aselsan SADAK-4T Smart Pneumatic Quad Rack, and the HGK-84 (Precision Guidance Kit-84), KGK-83 (KGK is a wing-assisted guidance kit that converts existing unguided 1,000 lb. MK83), were also exhibited together with the ANKA-III UCAV.
The ceremony launched with the presence of President Recep Tayyip ERDOĞAN, and he took the stage to address the attendees. During his speech, President ERDOĞAN established a radio connection with the pilots of the HÜRJET and National Combat Aircraft and gave them instructions to proceed. Following the president's directive, the HÜRJET taxied to the front of the stage, while the National Combat Aircraft, labeled with "KAAN" on its fuselage, completed its taxi to the designated point in front of the stage. HÜRJET Test Pilot Ercan ÇELİK and KAAN Test Pilot Gökhan BAYRAMOĞLU presented their helmets and patches to President ERDOĞAN, who, in return, presented plaques to the pilots.
President Recep Tayyip ERDOĞAN highlighted that the National Combat Aircraft, named “KAAN”, will soon undergo its inaugural flight and complete all required tests within a few years. He emphasized that with KAAN, Türkiye will join the five countries worldwide capable of producing such fifth-generation fighter aircraft. President ERDOĞAN described the capabilities and advantages that KAAN will bring to the country, stating, "Imagine an aircraft that will enter the hostile’s territory without being detected by radars in a combat environment. It will open its internal weapons bay’s and drop its missiles or munitions on the hostile elements. Then, it will return to its nest undetected. Moreover, this aircraft will be manufactured by our engineers and flown by our pilots. KAAN is the name of this aircraft. KAAN will feature domestically developed and produced main mission systems, including weapons, radar, communication, flight control, and mission computers. Can anyone remain unaffected by the impact of this picture?"
President ERDOĞAN: "We are progressively achieving the longstanding dreams we have pursued since the foundation of our Republic"
President ERDOĞAN acknowledged that the present accomplishments embody the future vision emphasized by Gazi Mustafa Kemal's statement, "The future is in the skies." ERDOĞAN added: “Hence, the term "future" holds particular significance today. I’d like to express my gratitude to all those who have contributed to the construction and advancement of Türkiye's defense industry since the institutions inherited from the Ottoman Empire. The achievements realized in the defense industry, which serves as both the guarantor of national security and a driving force for technological progress, play a substantial role in shaping the current era as the Century of Türkiye.”
During his speech, President ERDOĞAN highlighted the significance of HÜRJET: “HÜRJET, our first jet-powered supersonic fighter aircraft, will serve as a trainer jet for our pilots and, when necessary, will be equipped with weapons and deployed to the battlefield. This feature allows HÜRJET to be equipped with our own weapons and radar systems. HÜRJET will join the inventory of Turkish Air Force Command very soon. In addition, the aerobatics demonstration aircraft fleet will consist of HÜRJET aircraft. We also aim to deploy HÜRJET on TCG Anadolu.”
President ERDOĞAN delivered promising news that ANKA-III would conduct its maiden flight in the upcoming days. He further mentioned that ANKA-III would also engage in autonomous formation flights alongside the National Combat Aircraft. “Both the KIZILELMA and ANKA-III platforms would autonomously carry out missions using indigenous ammunition. By achieving this, Türkiye aims to elevate the standards of armed unmanned aerial vehicles to the highest global level.”
Regarding the export activities of HÜRKUŞ, President ERDOĞAN mentioned that the aircraft, produced for friendly and allied nations, has evolved into an international platform. “The first deliveries of HÜRKUŞ to Niger and Chad would take place shortly. We are also receiving positive news from our national helicopter GÖKBEY. GÖKBEY is now flying with a turbine engine designed by our engineers. As you know, with our ATAK-II helicopter maximum take-off weight over 10 tons, we have become one of the three countries worldwide capable of producing helicopters in this class."
Minister of National Defense Hulusi AKAR: "The weapon systems manufactures in NATO standards and tested in operations have gained significant attention worldwide due to their effectiveness”
During his speech at the Century of the Future Launch Ceremony, Minister of National Defense Hulusi AKAR emphasized the strategic significance of artificial intelligence and cyber applications in the present and future. He highlighted that Türkiye has accurately recognized these global changes and has taken proactive measures in research and development activities, particularly in the defense industry, to achieve strategic objectives. AKAR proceeded with his statement as follows: “Previously, Türkiye used to rely on foreign procurement even for basic infantry rifles. However, the country has made significant progress and is now capable of designing, manufacturing, and exporting various defense equipment such as infantry rifles, small arms, Multi-Barreled Rocket Systems, FIRTINA Howitzers, UAV/UCAVs, Attack Helicopters, Warships, National Naval Main Gun, smart precision munitions, and missiles. Recent achievements include the delivery of TCG ANADOLU to the Turkish Naval Forces, the delivery of ALTAY Main Battle Tanks to the Turkish Land Forces, the successful launch of the İMECE observation satellite controlled by the Turkish Air Force, and the implementation of numerous other projects. In the future, Türkiye envisions deploying national submarines in its seas and witnessing the presence of various domestic and indigenous aircraft, particularly the National Combat Aircraft, soaring through the skies during the ‘Century of Türkiye.’"
Minister AKAR emphasized that domestically and nationally produced weapon systems have played a crucial role in enhancing border security, conducting domestic and cross-border operations, safeguarding rights and interests in the Aegean, Mediterranean, and Cyprus, as well as supporting the successful execution of missions undertaken by Turkish soldiers in various regions, including Azerbaijan and Libya. “The effectiveness of our weapon systems produced in NATO standards and tested in operations has garnered significant attention. This increased interest has led to a growing demand for our domestic and national defense industry products. Thanks to the National Technology Moves, the 'Made in Türkiye' brand has rightfully ascended to its deserved position in the international market. Consequently, our country has transformed from being solely a consumer of critical technologies to becoming a production hub for them.”
President of the Defense Industry Agency İsmail DEMİR: "Who Owns the Sky, Owns the Future"
In his address, President of the Defense Industry Agency Prof. İsmail DEMİR provided updates on ongoing development projects. He stated that the ATAK-II helicopter had successfully completed its maiden flight and highlighted the integration of the indigenously developed TS1400 engine into the GÖKBEY helicopter. Prof. DEMİR further mentioned that engine projects for other Turkish aircraft were also underway, with the aim of utilizing these domestic engines in the National Combat Aircraft, HÜRJET, Helicopters, and Armed UAVs. “The first delivery of GÖKBEY will be made to the Gendarmerie General Command in 2023. GÖKBEY is designed to operate efficiently in challenging environments, including adverse weather conditions, various terrains, and high & Hot Conditions. With its spacious cabin capable of accommodating 12 fully equipped military personnel, the GÖKBEY has versatile applications beyond its military role. Ongoing studies are exploring its potential utilization in firefighting, air ambulance services, coastal safety operations, search and rescue missions, in addition to its function of transporting military personnel.”
Temel KOTİL, TUSAŞ President and CEO, highlighted their significant efforts in realizing several projects over the past four years, leading to the development of five key products for the "Century of Türkiye." He stated that the National Combat Aircraft successfully performed its first taxi on the runway, while HÜRJET accomplished its maiden flight. KOTİL emphasized that HÜRJET will serve as an advanced trainer and a light attack aircraft and added: “The delivery of HÜRJET to the Air Force is set to commence in 2025. We believe that our aircraft will also show successful performance in exports.”
Temel KOTİL, TUSAŞ President and CEO: "We will significantly enhance our offshore flying capabilities moving forward"
KOTİL highlighted that the ATAK-II helicopter successfully completed its inaugural flight soon. He emphasized that helicopters in this class are only owned by the U.S. and Russia, making ATAK-II a significant achievement. Furthermore, KOTİL mentioned the GÖKBEY helicopter successfully flew from Ankara to Istanbul to attend Teknofest 2023 and that the first helicopter would soon be delivered to the Gendarmerie General Command. Stating that their goal is to make the ANKA-III maiden flight within two weeks, he concluded his speech by highlighting the substantial investment of TRY 15 billion made over the past six years, involving the efforts of 6,000 young engineers and technicians, totaling 15,000 staff.
Following the speeches, President Recep Tayyip ERDOĞAN closely examined the National Combat Aircraft and HÜRJET positioned in the static display area. He then took the opportunity to sit the cockpit of the "KAAN" National Combat Aircraft, a name that he revealed to the public for the first time and posed for the members of the press.
The National Combat Aircraft named “KAAN”
The National Combat Aircraft (MMU), KAAN, is designed to have advanced capabilities in air combat. It will be capable of collaborating with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Airborne Warning and Control systems, allowing for effective coordination. Equipped with state-of-the-art weapon systems, KAAN will have the ability to engage in air-to-air combat and deliver highly accurate strikes at supersonic speeds using its internal weapon bays. Additionally, KAAN will incorporate Artificial Intelligence and Neural Network Support, enabling it to provide enhanced combat support and adaptability in various operational scenarios.
Under the KAAN National Combat Aircraft Project, significant efforts will be made to establish state-of-the-art test centers within the country. These test centers, including the Lightning Test Facility, Radar Cross-Section Test Facility, and Wind Tunnel Facility, are among the largest and most advanced in the world.
The MMU Development Program was launched with Decision No 545 adopted at the Defense Industry Executive Committee (DIEC, the highest decision-making body on defense procurement in Türkiye) dated December 15, 2010. Featuring Low Observability and Super-cruise capabilities, the MMU/TF-X will be a 5th Generation indigenous air superiority fighter with secondary ground attack capability and equipped with domestically developed systems and sensors. Designed to meet the operational requirements of the TurAF between 2030 and 2070, the MMU/KAAN is a proposed single-seat, twin-engine, all-weather multi-role fighter being developed by Prime Contractor Turkish Aerospace (TUSAŞ) with technological assistance from BAE Systems. The MMU/KAAN will replace the F-4E 2020 Phantom IIs and F-16C/D Fighting Falcon combat aircraft currently in the Turkish Air Force (TurAF) service during the first quarter of the 2030s.
Türkiye will likely procure 150 to 200 TF-Xs (Main Contractor TUSAŞ’s production goal is 400) to replace F-4E 2020s and F-16s in the long term. The MMU/KAAN Program has become even more critical for Türkiye since the F-16C/D combat aircraft, which forms the backbone of the TurAF, will be retired from service starting from 2030 (Block 30TM and Block 40M versions) and deliveries of F-35As to the TurAF were halted (procurement of up to 110 aircraft were planned) by the US Government in July 2019.
As part of the development program, the National Combat Aircraft (KAAN) will undergo a series of tests, including flight, ground, and qualification tests. Upon successful completion of these tests, the plan is to deliver the first batch of serial production aircraft to the Air Force Command. This initial batch will consist of 20 aircraft in Block-10 configuration. The scheduled timeframe for the delivery of these aircraft is from 2028 onwards.
HÜRJET: Türkiye's First Jet-Powered Trainer and Lightweight Attack Aircraft
As part of the HÜRJET project, in which the design and production activities of a jet aircraft were carried out for the first time in Türkiye, the aircraft flight control system, flight control computer, active side stick, actuator, controller, and inertial sensor system were developed with domestic resources. To support the project, facilities such as the Iron Bird Test Facility, Fuel Test Facility, and Bird Strike Test Facility will be established in our country. The project also aims to enhance production capabilities in areas such as canopy mechanism durability, environmental control system, and accessory gearbox. HÜRJET is planned to be included in the Turkish Air Force inventory, replacing the T-38 aircraft utilized in Jet Advanced Training and the F-5 aircraft used in aerobatic demonstrations. Additionally, HÜRJET will play a crucial role in training pilots for the operation of 5th generation combat aircraft, particularly the National Combat Aircraft. The project involves the production of four prototype aircraft for flight & Ground testing purposes and 16 initial serial production aircraft for the Air Force Command. The first deliveries of HÜRJET to the Air Force Command are scheduled for 2025.
HÜRJET is a twin-seat, single-engine supersonic new generation Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). TUSAŞ is developing it under a Protocol signed between TUSAŞ, the SSB, and the TurAF on July 2, 2018. The initial studies for the “Advanced Jet Trainer & Light Attack Aircraft (HÜRJET) Project” started in July 2017, and the project was officially launched on August 14, 2017, as a company-funded project (which was funded from TUSAŞ’s own resources) after receiving a green light to go ahead from the TUSAŞ Board.
The HÜRJET AJT, the first of which is expected to be delivered to the Air Forces Command in 2025, will be capable of performing tasks such as Combat Readiness Training, Air Patrol (Armed and Unarmed), and Aerobatic Demonstration. With a speed of Mach 1.4 and +8/-3G limits, HÜRJET will be able to operate at an altitude of up to 45,000ft and carry a payload of nearly 3 tons. With its advanced human-machine interface (HMI), digitally controlled flight system, and internal tactical and virtual training systems, HÜRJET will offer a new-generation aircraft flight experience.
ANKA-III Next Generation Stealth UCAV
ANKA III, the third member of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) family, is a UAV system that is faster thanks to its jet engine, has a higher payload capacity, and is less visible to radars due to its tailless structure.
ANKA III, equipped with advanced technology, can identify both friendly and enemy airborne elements. It is designed to undertake a wide range of missions, including operations, and facilitating communication with friendly elements. The ANKA III UAV system will be able to perform several other missions in addition to reconnaissance, surveillance, intelligence, and attack missions with various air-to-ground and air-to-air munitions and will be controlled by the same ground systems as ANKA and AKSUNGUR.
As part of the project, the first platform is planned to be delivered to the Turkish Armed Forces in 2024 upon completion of flight and ground tests.
With ANKA III, the Turkish Aviation Industry has designed a flying wing aircraft for the first time since 1948 and has brought it to the flight test stage. The THK-13 flying wing glider prototype designed by Senior Engineer Yavuz KANSU was produced at the Turkish Aeronautical Association Aircraft Factory, and the first flight test was carried out on August 24, 1948. Since they have no vertical surfaces and are extremely flat, the flying wing designs have a low radar cross-section. That’s why strategic stealth bombers like the B-2 Spirit and B-21 Raider have a flying wing design. However, since it requires thick wings, the flying wing design is more suitable for subsonic aircraft.
ATAK-II Heavy Attack Helicopter
To date, TUSAŞ has successfully delivered over 80 T129 ATAK Phase-I and Phase-II helicopters to the Turkish Armed Forces, solidifying Türkiye's position as one of the three countries capable of producing helicopters at this level, with the introduction of the ATAK-II 11.5-ton Heavy Class Attack Helicopter. The ATAK-II stands out among its counterparts due to its advanced avionics systems, making it more competitive and innovative. Additionally, the ATAK-II will meet the requirements of missions conducted in challenging environments, including adverse weather conditions and high-altitude territories.
ATAK-II, the Heavy Class Attack Helicopter, has been designed using fully domestic and national capabilities, aligning with the objectives of enhanced payload and ammunition capacity, modern avionics systems, reduced logistics costs, and superior performance. Through the ATAK-II, Türkiye aims to strengthen its expertise in the field of attack tactical and reconnaissance helicopters.
Within the framework of the contract signed, TUSAŞ plans to deliver the first three ATAK-II helicopters to the Land Forces Command in 2025.
T625 GÖKBEY
The T625 GÖKBEY helicopter, featuring a spacious cabin capable of accommodating 12-fully-equipped military personnel, will have a wide range of capabilities including VIP transport, cargo transport, air ambulance services, search and rescue operations, and offshore transport. With the integration of the TEI-TS1400 engine into the GÖKBEY, which will operate in challenging environments day and night, at high altitudes and temperatures, Türkiye will possess a 100% indigenous helicopter.
Following the completion of the required certification procedures, TUSAŞ schedules to deliver the first three GÖKBEY helicopters to the Gendarmerie General Command in 2023
