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| The Imperial Iranian Air Force (IIAF) was the most powerful force in the Middle East until the fall of the Shah. The roots of the Iranian Air Force were created in 1924 when aircraft were used to put down enemy warlords in the south of the country. Training and equipment was acquired from Britain. Iran (Persia at the time) was occupied during WWII by the allies. The Air Arm became an independent Air Force in 1955 under the Aviation Department of the Ministry of war , and gained F-86F Sabres. The strategic position of Iran did not go unnoticed by the USA, which began to supply large numbers of aircraft to Iran from the early 1960s. The oil in the south of the country provided the money to fuel the expanding ambition of the Shah. From 1965 onwards F-5 Freedom Fighters were supplied followed by the F-4 Phantom II in 1968. By 1970 Iran was the most powerful country in the region militarily. The willingness of the US to supply it's top of the range military hardware, such as the F-14A Tomcat and AIM-54 Phoenix showed the close relationship between the two countries. The 1979 Islamic revolution changed the situation in the country overnight and altered the balance of power in the region. No longer was Iran loyal to the US, but openly hostile. American assistance ceased and the Air Force suffered as pro-Shah officers were removed, resulting in very low service-ability levels. The Air Force was renamed to the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF). |
| Iraq saw it's chance to gain large tracks of Iranian Territory and launched an attack on Iran on 22th September 1980, starting the first Gulf War more commenly called the Iran-Iraq War, which was to last for eight years and turned into a war of attrition. Computer codes were broken for the vast spares inventory purchased by the Shah during the early 1980s, allowing the IRIAF to fend off repeated attacks by the Iraqi Air Force. Iran was officially neutral during the 2nd Gulf War ( Iraqi invasion of Kuwait ) but benefited when a proportion of the Iraqi Air Force sought shelter in Iran. These aircraft were seized and some were put into service. |
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| The Aircraft involved included Falcon 50s,Mirage F1EQs,IL-76MDs,Mig-29s,Mil Mi-8/17 and Mi-24s,Su-22M-2s,Su-24Mks and Su-25Ks. The exact number of aircraft in service with the IRIAF today is difficult to judge, as is it's order of battle.Iran continues to astonish the world with it's capacity for adaptation and innovation in the field of Military aviation. Iran has been cut off from spares for it's aircraft from the Western world for over 20 years but yet manages to keep it's aircraft flying in quantity. Iran Aircraft Industries has been able to maintain and even modify the weapon system of US Fighters like F-4,F-5 and F-14 in spite of sanctions. Nowadays Iran is developing it's own indigenous aircraft with a number of projects running. The Azarakhsh (Lightning) is allegedly a scaled-up version of the F-5E .The Azarakhsh is a light fighter and ground attack aircraft, weighing around 8,000 kg (3,600 lbs) and with a payload of 4,000 kg. It has an Iranian-designed radar with "certain critical components" of Russian origin. |
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Production schedule has been established for 30 aircraft over the next three years. Another project is the Sa'eqeh-80, an advanced twin finned, twin-engined fighter in the class of the YF-17/F-14.The Sa'eqeh-80 is expected to make it's maiden flight in 2003 and is said to be substantially different from any other aircraft in the IRIAF, or anywhere in the world. Another interesting project is the Tazarv (Eagle) a single-engined jet trainer. The Tazarv has been designed to specific Iranian requirement for an aircraft capable of fulfilling the basic phase of training, as well as advanced Lead-In-Fighter training. The Tazarv is powered by a General Electric J85-13 engine from the F-5E, with the afterburner removed. |
| The first prototype of another Iranian Jet Trainer, the Tondar was reported to have flown for the first time in 2001. All of these indigenous programmes are clear evidence of Iran's determination to achieve self-sufficiency for it's Armed Forces with the IRIAF in particular. In 2001, Russia and Iran signed a military-technical cooperation deal. Without disclosing any details in regard to potential arms sales, the Russian Defence Minister mentioned that Russia was ready to sell Iran defensive weapons. The agreement, which may earn Russia as much as $300 million a year, comes amid concerns in the West that Iran may be among the countries supporting terrorist activity. Russia was already trading with Iran before 1995. We were actively selling the Iranians MIG-29s and SU-24s and divisions of complexes S-200VE. But after the Gore-Chernomyrdin memorandum, that blocked Russia's military cooperation with Iran, Russia agreed to break all the contracts that it had. Russia agreed to fulfill the contracts that were broken in 1995 as well as to sell more armaments to Iran. |
Aircraft of the IRIAF :
Iranian Aerospace Projects :
Sources : Pictures (Holger Mueller)
Text (Airforces Monthly December and January Issue, Author Alan Warnes)
- Shafagh / Shafaq
Photo: Holger Mueller, www.mig-21.de |
Shafaq is an advanced Light Attack/Trainer aircraft designed by the Aviation University Complex (AUC), part of the Malek Ashtar University of Technology. At the start of the program Iran received help from Russia and the aircraft was back then known as ''Integral'', Russia later backed away from this project due to several reasons and Iran carried on the project by itself and the aircraft became known as ''Shafaq''.
The Shafaq is a sub-sonic aircraft, made of radar-absorbing material. It has a large leading edge root extension (LERX) and a root aft of the wing which gives it an unusual circular sub-section. A 1/7 scale model of the Shafaq has already completed testing in the AUC's wind tunnel and pictures have already been revealed which show that a Full-scale model has already been built. The Shafaq will be built in several variants which include a Two-Seater Trainer, Two-Seater Light Attack and a One-Seater Light Attack variant. Roll-out of the first prototype is scheduled for 2008. |
- Tazarve
 Photo: Holger Mueller, www.mig-21.de |
The JT2-2 Tazarve has been built by the IRIAF Owj Industrial Complex, which has been referred to as the Ya Hossein Project. The Tazarve is the third version of a prototype jet trainer called 'Dorna', which first flew eight years ago. A second version which included a number of improvements of the prototype and which was referred to as 'Thunder', flew some ''two to three years afterwards'' and eventually leading to the first flight of the Tazarve in 2000. Personnel at the Ya Hossein Project believe the Tazarve will eventually fulfil a role as basic and advanced jet trainer.
There will also be a Close Air Support version, which the complex hopes to work on next. An initial batch of five ordered by the IRIAF will be used in all aspects of testing, flight training and structural tests, and the same body has ordered another 25 aircraft to carry out the pilot training role currently being fulfilled by the F-5B. The IRIAF hopes aims to construct a purpose-built factory for manufacturing the aircraft ; it has been estimated that the Tazarve will cost as little as $2 million to built. The engine is a General Electric J-85-17, with its afterburners removed. The Tazarve jet trainer is the hallmark of Iran's indigenous aerospace industry and will teach the country's design engineers and technicians new lessons. |
- Simorgh
Photo: Holger Mueller, www.mig-21.de |
When the IRIAF was short of two-seat jet trainer aircraft, HESA embarked on a program called ''Simorgh'' to convert stored Northdrop F-5A's into F-5B two-seater models. So far six F-5As have been converted and the seventh is due to be rolled out shorthly, apparently a total of 13 F-5As will be upgraded. The modification necessitated to reconstruction of almost the entire front section. All the F-5As and converted F-5Bs are currently stored at HESA's Shanin Shahr factory where the conversions are carried out.
The IIAF acquired over 100 F-5As during the 1960s and early 1970s. Most were sold to the South Vietnam Air Force, Greece or Jordan, eventually leaving the IRIAF with the 13 which are now either converted or awaiting conversion. |
- AH-1J Cobra / Project 2091
Project 2091
Photo: Holger Mueller, www.mig-21.de |
Iran still operates at least 97 Cobras out of the 202 originally delivered by the Bell Helicopter Company to the Imperial Army. They performed brilliantly during the Iran-Iraq War, though they suffered a heavy loss rate to enemy fire.
Project 2091 is upgrade program for the AH-1Js by HESA and includes a new and more aerodynamic 'flat plate' canopy, installation of a Multi-Function Display in the front cockpit and a modified nose housing a FLIR (Forward-Looking infra-red) device. According to HESA, the company has been repairing and upgrading some of the helicopters severely damaged in the Iran-Iraq war. Five upgrades have been completed and eventually upgrades could reach 50. There is also a second, more ambitious plan to upgrade the Cobra even further with a four-bladed composite system with a mast-mounted FLIR and an IR (Infra-Red) jammer on the engine nacelles as well as modified shrouded tail rotor. |
Fighter/Attack Aircraft :
- F-14A Tomcat
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In August of 1973, the Shah selected the F-14 Tomcat, and the sale was approved by the US government in November of 1972. The initial order signed in January of 1974 covered 30 Tomcats, but in June 50 more were added to the contract.The Iranian Tomcats were virtually identical to the US Navy version, with only a few classified avionics items being omitted. The base site for Iranian Tomcat operations was at Isfahan’s (Khatami Air Force Base) and 1 Squadron at Shiraz Tactical Fighter Base. The Iranian Tomcats were fairly late on the production line, and were therefore delivered with the TF30-P-414 engine, which was much safer than the compressor-stall-prone P-412 engine. The first of 80 Tomcats arrived in Iran in January of 1976. Following the Islamic revolution, massive numbers of contracts with Western arms suppliers were cancelled by the new government, including an order for 400 AIM-54A Phoenix missiles for the F-14 Tomcats. This arms embargo against Iran imposed by the West caused a severe spare parts and maintenance problem. In the mid-1970 many F-14s were kept in storage as attrition reserve. The main base for the IRIAF is at Esfahan, which was purposely built for the F-14s with special facilities and hangars. Iran’s aircraft industry (SAHA) overhauls the F-14 and is capable of producing their own F-14 spares. The F-14 is also used as a mini-Awacs aircraft with it's powerful AN/AWG-9 radar.
In 1985 Iran shocked the world (especially the US) when a formation of 25 Tomcats overflew Tehran. It was a miracle how Iran kept it's Tomcats flying even though they had been cut from (official) spares suppliers and it proves Iran's ingenuity and ability to reverse-engineer. This ability should ensure that the type is still available to undertake limited long-range interception missions at low sortie rates. Since the end of the eight-year long conflict, numerous enhancement projects have been performed on the type, including increasing the AWG-9's range, and integrating the R-73 AAM and various air-to-ground weapons with the aircraft. Iran is also working hard on a project to reverse-engineer and manufacture the AIM-54A Phoenix longe-range air-air missile locally. |
- F-4E/D Phantom II
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The IRIAF received it's first Phantom in 1968 out of a total of 225 ordered. Which were 32 F-4D’s, 177 F-4E’s and 16 RF-4E’s.By the time that the Shah was forced to flee, Iran had 188 operational Phantoms. However, the arms embargo against Iran imposed by the West caused a severe spare parts and maintenance problem. Today some 70 F-4 Phantoms remain in service with the IRIAF. In the Iran-Iraq war the Phantom proved to be a very capable & reliable aircraft and was very popular with the pilots. According to report Iranian technicians have succeeded in upgrading the Phantom's APQ-120 Radar (Thanks to APQ-120 spares from Israel), by improving it's range and adding a Airborne Moving Target Indicator.
In the Iran-Iraq War the IRIAF Phantoms took part in deep penetration raids against targets in and around Baghdad and supported ground operations at the front. Fighter-vs-fighter combat was rather rare throughout the entire course of the Iran-Iraq war. The IRIAF has also modified several of its Phantoms to carry and fire the the Kh-58 anti-radiation missile with its associated targeting pod, as well as R-73 and PL-7 short range air-to-air missiles. In another atttempt at revitilisation, the IRIAF's self-sufficiency task force doubled the range of the APQ-120 radar of the F-4E, and added automatic targeting and moving target indication (MTI) capabilities. |
- F-5 A/B/E/F Tiger II
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The first F-5 Freedom fighters arrived in Iran in 1965. Iran ordered 103 F-5A’s and 23 F-5SB’s which were later sold on to Vietnam, Turkey, Greece and Ethiopia. In their place Iran received F-5E/F Tiger IIs. The first examples were delivered in January of 1974, when 28 F-5Fs were received in Iran for conversion training. A total of 166 F-5E/Fs were supplied to Iran between 1974 and 1976.
The Imperial Iranian Air Force F-5E/Fs were equipped to a high standard, with an onboard Litton inertial navigation system and weapons/ballistic computer. The Iranians found it extremely difficult to keep their F-5 fleet operational all throughout the Iran-Iraq war. The lack of spare parts caused by the arms embargo plus the general lack of adequate numbers of trained maintenance personnel made things even worse. With sanctions imposed on Iran, no spares were left for the F-5 and many aircraft became unserviceable and others being cannibalized to keep the remainder flying. The IRIAF has upgraded their remaining Tigers called the ''Offogh-project'', which improved the range of the F-5 APQ-159 radar and enabling the aircraft to carry advanced missiles like the PL7, AIM-9P Sidewinders and R-60 Aphids. The remaining F-5's are nearing their end of operational life and the IRIAF is seeking a replacement. |
- MiG-29A/UB Fulcrum
Photo : Farzad Bishop |
In the early 1990's Iran received some 24 Mig-29A/UBs, delivered in two batches to equip 2 squadrons. In 1991 these were joined by 4 ex-Iraqi Air Force Mig-29s, who flew to Iran for safety during the Gulf War. Iran did place on order for more Mig-29s with Russia, but these were never delivered when Russia promised the United States that it would not conclude any additional contracts with Iran, and it subsequently agreed to cease all arms transfers. The Iran Mig-29s were overhauled at Tabris, with unknown modification in their avionics.
Like those Mig-29s delivered to other countries, the Mig-29s delivered to Iran lacked the capability to carry under-wing external fuel tanks. However, several years ago the IRIAF undertook a project called Khorsid which equipped the aircraft with an indigenously-developed 99-lmp gallon (450-litre) external fuel tank under the wing. The Mig-29UB is used in Iranian service for advanced trainer maneuvering training, and is based at Tehran and Tabriz. The airframes are overhauled at Tabriz, while the RD-33 engines still go to Russia. |
- Su-24MK Fencer
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In the early 1990's Iran received some 12 Su-24MKs to equip one squadron, these were joined by 24 ex-Iraqi Su-24MKs who flew to Iran during the Gulf War. IRIAF Su-24s were given a in-flight refueling capability when they received refueling probes, thanks to Iranian ingenuity.The aircraft are also able to carry the Upaz-A buddy refuelling system to extend the range of other aircraft. The Su-24MK is the export version of the Su-24 with slightly downgraded avionics
The Su-24 front line bomber is designed to penetrate hostile territory and destroy ground and surface targets in any weather conditions, by day and night. The Fencers, Iran's main strike aircraft, could be used to deliver nuclear weapons if Iran ever acquires one of appropriate size and weight. Long range strike missions can be undertaken by the Su-24MK 'Fencer-Ds'. based at Shiraz and Mehrabad. |
Transport/Tanker Aircraft :
- C-130 Hercules
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Since 1962, The Imperial Iranian Air Force received 4 C-130Bs, 28 C-130Es and 30 C-130Hs. The Bs and some of the Es were disposed of in 1976. The long arms embargo starting after the Islamic revolution in 1979 on Iran have took a toll on the large Iranian fleet and only 10 are believed to be flyable today. One C-130 Hercules transport plane crashed in a mountainous region of northeast Iran after the engine failed. 86 people died, including members of the Revolutionary Guard and other army personnel. |
- Boeing 707-3J9C (8)
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The IRIAF operates some 8-10 Boeing 707-3J9Cs today which are used for transport and tanker role. Iran received six Boeing 707-3J9C fitted with air refuelling booms. Wingtip-mounted hose-and-drogue system were added 'In-country'. Two 707-3J9C were reportely converted to the "Roving Eye/Path Finder" configuration for SIGINT (signals intelligence) missions. |
- Boeing 747F-2J9/131
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The IRIAF operates eight Boeing 747 in different configurations. Two ex-Iraqi Boeing 747 were impounded in Iran after they flew to Iran from Iraq during the Gulf War. Several AAR boom and receptacle equipped 747-100 tankers were supplied to Iran during the mid to late 1970s. Some Boeing 747 also serve as an Airborne Command Post. |
- IR.AN 140 Faraz
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HESA is currently working on a military version on the IR.AN 140 Faraz, which include a maritime patrol variant and a tactical cargo version. The first steps is preparing the technical designs of the types. The Iranian military has given HESA it's requirements, and the company is discussing co-operation with three other unknown companies. The sophisticated equipment which would fitted in the maritime variants is understood to be on offer Thales. HESA is currently assembling 80 IR.AN 140 Farazs with one already complete and the second is already assembled and expected to make it's first flight within 3 months. |
- Il-76 MD Candid / Adnan-1
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Iran inherited eleven Iraqi Il-76 Candids, though all were originally grounded for a considerable period of time. These aircraft were operated by the IRIAF at Shiraz before the Iranian Republic Guard Command (IRGC) took over most of the aircraft.The IL-76 is a medium-range military transport aircraft, and is also known by the NATO codename 'Candid'. The missions of the aircraft are: to drop paratroopers; carry troop forces and combat materiel with crews and armaments, including medium-sized battle tanks; to airlift cargo for troop forces; and transport for disaster relief operations. The IL-76MD variant has an increased flight range and service life and carry up to 47 tons of cargo.
The Il-76 Adnan-1 AEW&C was an Iraqi development of an Il-76MD military transport aircraft based on the A-50 'Mainstay' with a Thompson-CSF (now Thales) Tiger-G radar which has a range of about 350km. Two were flown out to Iran during the Gulf war, one is in service with IRIAF today while the second aircraft is going through a upgrade programme. |
Sources :
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IIAF Homepage |
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ACIG.ORG |
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Fighter Jocks & Mud Movers |
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Janes |
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Air Forces Monthly ( January and December Issues) |
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Aerospace Encyclopdia of World Air Forces |
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www.mig-21.de
 
| The Turkish Air Force (TuAF, Turk Hava Kuvvetleri) is one of Europe's oldest air forces, with it's roots going back as far as 1911 and has operated more than 180 different aircraft types. Originally under command of the Army, the TuAF became independent on 31 January 1944, operating a mix of fighter types. Turkey joined NATO in 1952, becoming the most easterly NATO member. The TuAF entered the jet era with the T-33A in 1951, followed by large numbers of F-84F Thunderstreaks, F-100 Super Sabres, F-102 Delta Daggers and F-104 Starfighters. Not least because of the shared borders with the former Soviet Union, Syria , Iraq and lifetime enemy Greece, Turkey's Air Force has always been substantial. Historically among the most active buyers of weapons in the world (ranked third on the list of major recipients of weapons between 1994 and 1998), Turkey is readying to begin implementing one of the most ambitious military modernization programs in the post-Cold War era.
Introduced in 1996, the Turkish military's $150 billion program aims at a wholesale modernization of the armed forces over a period of 25 to 30 years. Turkey, together with Greece, stand out among their NATO allies for their inability to reduce their military spending after the collapse of the Warsaw Pact and the Soviet Union. While the average size of the defense expenditures relative to the GDP fell to 2.7 percent among NATO countries, it remains at Cold War-high level of 4.4 percent in Turkey
(4.8 percent in Greece). |
| Turkish officials maintain that high defense spending and a modernization program are required to guarantee the security of the country. "Turkey...cannot receive her share of the 'peace dividend' despite the fact that she is in dire need of it," wrote former Undersecretary of Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Sukru Elekdag, in 1996. He added, "The threats facing Turkey are so diverse and acute that Turkey can only maintain peace by adhering to the old adage, 'Those who want peace must be prepared for war.'' A 1998 White Paper prepared by Turkey's Ministry of Defense lists Iran, Syria, and Greece as primary external threats. |
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| While relations with Iran remain constant, Turkey's ties with the latter two countries only worsened since the document's publication. Greece and Turkey narrowly averted a possible confrontation in December 1998 over the deployment of Russian-made S-300 missiles on the island of Cyprus.
Turkey has joined the system development and demonstration phase of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, at a cost of $175 million. It will invest another $75 million if the government decides the country will participate in the industrial package of the programme. The Deal which makes Turkey a level 3 partner in the programme was signed on July 11 2002. A requirement exists for 150 F-35s to replace F-4Es and F-16Cs from 2013. Turkey and Israel are building on their military (friendship) co-operation with a number of joint projects like the upgrading of 54 Turkish F-4E Phantoms which will involve a avionics and structural upgrade, the upgraded Phantoms will be known as F-4E 2020 Terminator. |
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Another joint project is the upgrading of 48 Turkish F-5 Freedom which will see them undergo structural improvements with work shared by TAI (Tukish Aerospace Industries) and IAI (Israeli Aerospace Industries). The first F-5 made its first post-upgrade flight on April 17, 2001. The contract for the Boeing 737-700 Airborne Early Warning & Control aircraft was signed on June 4, 2002. The contract covers the firm commitment to four 737s, with a further two options and is worth $1.1 Billion. The first aircraft is expected to be delivered at the end of 2005 after being completed at Boeing's facilities : the other three firm order aircraft will be fitted out in Turkey by TAI. |
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Under the Phoenix II programme, 30 AS 532 Cougars are being manufactured by Turkish Aerospace Industries. A total of 20 are destined for the Air Force, 15 of these had been delivered by July 2002. The last Phoenix II Cougar is scheduled for delivery on January 31, 2003. The Cougars will replace UH-1Hs in the Turkish Air Force. The Turkish Air Force expects to receive 10 Airbus Military Co. A400Ms, down from 20 planned , with a workshare of 6.7% being allocated to TAI from the order.
A new training aircraft is sought to take pilots from the initial stages of training and prepare them for the T-38 Talon advanced trainers. The Pilotus PC-9 and derived Raytheon T-6 Texan II, Embrear Tucano and KAI KT-1 are all under consideration but no contract has yet to be signed. On March 20, 2002, senior Turkish military officials announced that the tender for a heavy lift helicopter will be reopened in 2003. The competition is expected to be between the Boeing CH-47 Chinook and the Sikorsky CH-53. The requirement is for 20 helicopters, and is expected to cost $250 million. A previous tender was won by an improved version of the CH-53E, but the eight on order were cancelled in 2001 due to budget constraints. |
Aircraft of the Turkish Air Force :
Fighter/Attack :
- Joint Strike Fighter (JSF)
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On July 11 2002, Turkey became the seventh international partner to sign up for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program, joining the United Kingdom, Italy, the Netherlands, Canada, Denmark and Norway. Australia also has announced its intention to participate. Turkey and the other countries participating in the F-35’s decade-long System Development and Demonstration (SDD) phase will have the opportunity to develop and supply parts and systems, influence the aircraft's design and place representatives in the government's JSF Program Office.
Over the life of the program's SDD phase, Turkey will contribute approximately $175 million to the F-35's development. Turkish industry will benefit through 'best value' contracting with the prime contractors Lockheed Martin, Pratt & Whitney or General Electric engines along with many sub-vendors. Industry-to-industry discussions are taking place now and will result in a long-term relationship with United States and partner industries. Turkey has an active engine production facility in partnership with General Electric that could play a substantial role in Turkey's industrial and post-production involvement in the JSF.
It will invest another $75 million if the government decides the country will participate in the industrial package of the programme. A requirement exists for 150 F-35s to replace F-4Es and F-16Cs from 2013. |
- F-16 C/D Fighting Falcon
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Peace Onyx I
Under the Peace Onyx I program, realized between the years 1987-1995, Turkish Aerospace Industries manufactured and delivered a total of 152 F-16C/D (132 F-16Cs and 24 F-16Ds) aircraft in Block 30 and 40 configurations at TAI facilities in Akinci to the Turkish Air Force (TuAF). The program covers 160 F-16s, eight of which were produced at the then General Dynamics, Fort Worth facilities and delivered to TuAF. Under the terms of Peace Onyx I, TAI is not allowed to sell its aircraft to any air force, including the THK. Consequently, F-16s built at Murted have to be first delivered to the USAF, which then turns them over to the THK. In practice, each locally-built F-16 makes a flight to NAS Sigonella (or any other US base close to Turkey) where it performs a touch-and-go (obligatory; the aircraft has to touch US soil) and then flies back to Turkey. The Turk Hava Kuvvetleri (THK, or Turkish Air Force) received its first two F-16s (both Lockheed-built Block 30 F-16Cs as assembly kits in March of 1987, and Turkey officially received its first F-16D in a ceremony at Fort Worth in July of 1987. The first Turkish F-16C/Ds arrived at Akinci AB in October of 1987, followed by the first flight of a Turkish-built F-16C on October 20, 1987. Starting with the 44th aircraft, all Turkish Air Force F-16s from the first batch were manufactured to Block 40 standards. The first 43 F-16s were Block 30 versions. |
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Peace Onyx II:
Within the framework of the follow-on program “Peace Onyx II,” TAI produced an additional 80 F-16C/D aircraft in Block 50 configuration (two batches of 40 Block 50 F-16C/Ds) during the 1995-1999 period for TuAF. The Block 50 machines will be equipped with the APG-68(V5) radar and the ability to carry and launch the AGM-88 HARM anti-radiation missile. The introduction of the Block 50 gives the THK F-16 force true SEAD capabilities. |
Thomson-CSF, in partnership with Aselsan, the Turkish prime contractor, announces the signature of a contract to provide the Turkish Air Force with a complete Electronic Warfare system to equip F-16s.The contract includes a high technology and industrial transfer from Thomson-CSF to Aselsan. Thomson-CSF is responsible mainly for the design and production of the first units to be delivered. TAI realized structural modification (FALCON-UP) on the Turkish Air Forces’ (TuAF) pre-Block 50 F-16C/Ds between the years of 1993-1999. |
- F-4E /RF-4E Phantom II (F-4E 2020 Terminator)
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The Turkish Air Force has received about 197 F-4Es and 40 RF-Es in eight batches from 1973 to 1994, including 40 aircraft which had been delivered as a return favor for the Turkish support of the UN Forces during the Gulf war in 1991.To augment the few surviving RF-4Es of the first batch of 1973, the TuAF received 32 operational former German Air Force RF-4Es. The TuAF has planned an upgrade for part of it's F-4 Fleet with a structural upgrade and the installation of the improved avionics system, which will be called the F-4E 2020 Terminator.
The full upgrade program consists of 54 F-4 aircraft, of which 26 will be completed at IAI's Lahav Division and 28 aircraft will undergo modernization by the TUAF at Eskisehir Air Force Base in Turkey. IAI, the main contractor, and Elbit, a major subcontractor, together with other Israeli and Turkish industries, will supply a modernization kit to the TUAF. The Turkish Ministry of National Defense awarded the F-4 upgrade contract to IAI in August 1995. The total value of the program is $632 million. The upgrade involves a structural and avionics upgrade, the first of 28 to be upgraded at Eskisehar -known as TAMP (Turkish Aircraft Modernisation Phase) aircraft to differentiate them from the Israeli upgrade Phantoms was redelivered on July 3rd 2002. |
- F-5A/B / NF-5A/B / F-5 2000
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Today all Turkish F-5s are based at Konya, where 133 Filo operates a large mix of RF-5As, F-5A/Bs and NF-5A/Bs for combat training, while 132 Filo loans F-5s for tactical weapon training and instructor training. Also based at at Konya is 134 Filo 'Turk Yildizlari' (Turkish Stars) demonstration team operating NF-5A/Bs. Turkish F-5s have come from a wide variety of sources including Netherlands, Norway, Taiwan and the United States.The F-5/2000 modernisation programme aims to upgrade 48 F-5A/B and NF-A/B aircraft with new avionics to improve their navigation and operations capability.
The avionics modernisation part of the contract was signed in 1998, IAI having design leadership in the IAI/Elbit and Singapore Technologies Aerospace consortium. The avionics modernisation, design and implementation on the first four prototypes was carried out by IAI in Turkey at the 1st ASMC (Air Supply Maintenance Center) command facilities at Eskisehir. The remaining 44 aircraft will be upgraded by the 1.ASMC command. At the moment, 20 F-5s are in the process of being upgraded and the project will be completed in 2006. Under the contract, 6 NF-5B, 8 F-5B, 14 NF-5A and 20 F-5As will go through the modernisation process.
The F-5/2000 modernisation project covers two areas - Structural Upgrade and Avionics Modernisation. The upgraded F-5s are based at the 3rd Main Jet Base command at Konya, where 133 Filo Command operates the new F-5s and is responsible for the Combat Readiness of new graduates selected for duty on the F-16. Modernised F-5s will be used mainly on the F-16 lead-in-training programme. In addition modernised F-5s have the capability to carry AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles on the wing tips. The latest milestone achievement took place in Turkey on April 17, 2001, when the first flight, of an F-5 prototype that was upgraded in Turkey, was successfully completed. |
Transport :
- C-130 B/E Hercules
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Turkey received it's first Hercules, under the US Military Assistance Program, in the shape of four C-130Es delivered in 1964. One of the original "Es" was written off in 1968. Two more C-130Es were delivered in 1971 and a single C-130H in 1987. Turkey acquired six former USAF C-130Bs in 1991. They are flown by the Alev (Flame) No. 222 Squadron at Erkilet/Kayseri.
Elbit Systems Ltd and Israel Aircraft Industries Ltd have been short listed to upgrade the Turkish C-130 fleet. The C-130 avionics upgrade program, involving electronics work and components is expected to cost Turkey around $25 million. Work will be done at a Turkish Air Force aircraft maintenance base in Kayseri, Central Anatolia. |
- C-160D Transall
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Since 1971, 221 Filo at Erkilet has operated 19 ex-German Air Force C.160Ds. The C-160 Transall aircraft are twin turboprop transporters in service with the air forces of France, Germany and Turkey. The aircraft is a cantilever high-wing monoplane and is configured for transportation, paratroop drop, electronic surveillance, airborne communications relay and medical evacuation.
The main cabin can be fitted to carry 93 troops or up to 68 fully equipped paratroops. For medical evacuation, the cabin can accommodate 62 stretcher patients. In the cargo transporter role, the aircraft can carry a maximum payload of 16,000kg, including armoured vehicles, tanks and palletised or unpalletised loads.Loads up to 8,000kg can be air-dropped. The aircraft can carry out low-level altitude drops at altitudes between 10 and 30ft, and touch-and-go drops in which the aircraft briefly touches the runway without landing. |
- CN-235
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Special mention should also be made of the fleet of 52 CN-235 planes in service with the Turkish Air Force and manufactured by TAI, not just because of its size - since it is the World’s biggest fleet of CN-235 aircraft - but also because of its very high degree of readiness which exceeds 90%. This translates into an enormous operational capacity in the diverse missions that are being undertaken, including Logistical and Tactical Transport from the bases at Etimesgut, Diyarbakir, Eskiseir and Izmir.
TAI was responsible for the manufacturing of 50 of the 52 CN-235 produced for the Turkish Air Force at its Akinci (Ankara) production centre between 1991-1998. Production of the CN-235 continues at TAI for smaller numbers of surveillance and maritime patrol variants for the Turkish Navy and coast guard respectively. |
- A400M
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The A400M (formerly known as the Future Large Aircraft) is a military transporter designed to meet the requirements of the air forces of Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Turkey and the United Kingdom. Italy subsequently withdrew from the programme. A European Staff Target was drawn up in 1993 together with a Memorandum of Understanding signed by the governments of seven nations. In December 2001, a formal contract of procurement was signed between Airbus and OCCAR, the European procurements agency for 196 aircraft: Belgium 7, France 50, Germany 73, Luxembourg 1, Portugal 3, Spain 27, Turkey 10 and the UK 25 aircraft. The first aircraft is scheduled to fly in 2006 with entry into service in 2008.
The Turkish Air Force expects to receive 10 Airbus Military Co. A400Ms, down from 20 planned , with a workshare of 6.7% being allocated to TAI from the order. |
Tankers :
- KC-135R Stratotanker
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The first Turkish Air Force KC-135R was officially handed over in October 1997, they belong to the tanker Filo temporarily based at Incirlik which will eventually operate seven Stratotankers. The United States was leasing two KC-135s to Turkey prior to the sale. The two-year agreement also called for U.S. Air Force personnel to train their Turkish counterparts. As part of the arrangement, a technical assistance team from the US helped train Turkish personnel who will maintain and operate the new fleet. The two leased aircraft were returned to the United States Dec. 10, following the expiration of the lease.
All seven Turkish KC-135Rs are in the process of receiving the Pacer CRAG (Compass, Radar and Global Positioning System) upgrade. In addition to the Pacer CRAG modification, the aircraft will receive new and more sophisticated booms which will require less maintenance, have a longer service life and comprise of fewer pieces. Pacer CRAG is an avionics upgrade. The upgraded avionics include cockpit enhancements with the Collins FMS-800 integrated flight management system, Collins FDS-255 liquid crystal flat-panel multifunction flight display, and the Collins WXR-700X forward-looking predictive wind shear weather radar. The flight management system is integrated with a traffic alert and collision avoidance system (TCAS) and an enhanced ground proximity warning system (EGPWS).
Most of the instruments are supplied by Rockwell Collins, with Raytheon responsible for the Turkish KC-135R Pacer CRAG modification programme. Aside from the Pacer CRAG upgrade, plans are being produced for overhauling the seven KC-135Rs at the 2nd Air Supply Maintenance Centre Command (2nd ASMCC) stationed at Kayseri. |
AEW&C Systems :
- Boeing 737 AEW&C
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The Undersecretariat for Defense Industries of the Republic of Turkey has signed a $1 billion-plus contract on June 4th 2002, with Boeing for the design and development of a state-of-the-art 737 Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) system also being developed for Australia.
The international Boeing-led team responsible for the program includes Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems and several major Turkish companies including TAI and Havelsan. The contract calls for four 737 AEW&C aircraft plus a ground support segment for mission crew training, mission support and system maintenance support. The U.S State Department and Congress must now approve the contract, which could take several months. Following that, efforts will focus on the design for the radar, communications systems and the aircraft subsystem.
The Boeing AEW&C system combines the high-performance 737-700 increased gross weight aircraft with Northrop Grumman's Multi-role Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) radar with integrated identification friend or foe capabilities. The Turkey 737 AEW&C airborne system contains a mission computing subsystem featuring a flexible, open-system architecture, and includes a Turkish-built electronic support measures subsystem and an extensive communications suite.
Boeing will complete the first aircraft, whilst TAI will modify the other three at it's facilities in Turkey. Turkey will also supply and integrate the electronic support measures systems and communications equipment. Major maintenance will be undertaken by one of Turkish Airlines operating the 737-700 or -800, on which the AEW&C version is based. The first aircraft could be delivered to the Turkish Air Force 42-48 months after the contract is iniated. |
Helicopters :
- AS-532AL/UL Cougar
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In 1997, the EuroTAI consortium was formed between Eurocopter and TAI to co-produce the AS 532 for Turkey. Under the Phoenix II programme, 30 AS 532 Cougars are being manufactured by Turkish Aerospace Industries. A total of 20 are destined for the Turkish Air Force, 15 of these had been delivered by July 2002. The Last Pheonix II Cougar is scheduled for delivery on January 31, 2003. The Turkish Air Force Cougars have been built in two distinct types. Six AS 532AL Cougar Mk 1 CSAR (Combat Search and Rescue) versions have been delivered, and 14 AS 532UL Cougar Mk 1 SAR variants. The Cougar will replace the UH-1Hs in the Turkish Air Force.
The AS 532AL/UL is the first French helicopter to the enter service within the TuAF. The CSAR version includes GIAT Industries NC621 machine gun pods (20mm M621 gun), rocket pods, Aselsan-built AselFLIR-200, Bendix 1500B search radar, NVG suitable cockpit lightning and INS/GPS. |
Sources :
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