Turkey reveals strategic plans for F-16 fleet modernisation and expansion

Defence Minister Hulusi Akar confirmed that Turkey has signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) with the United States for the purchase of 40 new F-16 Block 70 fighters. “The down payment initiating the procurement process has already been transferred to the United States,” stated Akar. This development cements Turkey as the latest customer for the Block 70/72 variant, bringing the total number of contracted aircraft globally to 188, with the potential to exceed 200 in the coming months as Lockheed Martin targets markets in Asia and South America.

At the same time, Turkey has announced a change in its modernisation plans for its existing F-16 fleet. The country has decided to forgo a comprehensive upgrade of 79 aircraft to the F-16V standard using American upgrade kits. Instead, the aircraft earmarked for modernisation will undergo upgrades through Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) as part of the second phase of the domestic Özgür programme. To date, this programme has successfully upgraded F-16C/D Block 30 models using local resources.