On October 22, at the Turkish Defense and Aerospace Exhibition (Saha 2024), Turkish Aerospace Industry Corporation (TAI) exhibited its independent fifth -generation fighter "Ke Khan" "Khan"(Kaan, also known as TF-X) model.
TF-X project is affiliated to the "National Fighter Plan" launched by the Turkish Defense Industry Executive Committee (SSİK) in 2010. It aims to develop oneNew fighter aircraft to replace the Turkish Air Forces upcoming F-16 fighter.On February 21, the TF-X prototype was successful.
TAI propaganda materials mentioned that TF-X has a wide range of combat capabilities, especially in air combat and strategic deterrence;Air -to -air and air -to -ground tasks; the design of internal bullets can effectively reduce radar reflex signals and enhance stealth performance.In addition, this type of aircraft can integrate a variety of weapons developed by Turkey, such as remote G -KDOğAN air-to-air missiles, short-range Bozdoğan missiles and SOM-J cruise missiles.
TF-X uses domestic Murad Aesa radar developed by Turkish state-owned electronics company aslsana.s.a; in addition, TF-X is also equippedwait.TAI said that the advanced nature of TF-X ensures that it will have certain competitiveness in the future international military trade market.
Saudi Arabia is looking for a new five -generation machine
Recently, according to the US defense website "Asia Defense Security" (DEFENCESECURITEYASIA reported that Saudi Arabia expressed his intention to purchase more than 100 TF-X fighters.
This news also also follows the Royal Saudi Royal Air Force Commander Turki Bin Bandar Bandar Band Abdulaziz rate in OctoberThe accompanying delegation visited Turkey and further fermented.According to the Saudi News Agency, during the visit, the Saudi delegation learned in depth the combat performance and potential cooperation opportunities of TF-X, and visited the main defense companies such as TAI, ROKETSAN, Aslsan, etc.
Saudi Arabia has been committed to updating its air force fleet in recent years, especially in the fifth -generation fighter field.Earlier, Saudi Arabia had plans to purchase F-35 from the United States, but under the influence of complex geopolitics, Saudi Arabia no longer blindly looked forward to obtaining the F-35 and instead discussed with other countries to obtain the five generations.
According to media reports, Metin Gürcan, a Turkish national defense industry expert, said that if Saudi Arabia and Turkey can reach cooperation, they can reach cooperationThis will be not only a military contract, but also to lay the foundation for key areas such as Turkey and Saudi Arabia, joint production, technology sharing and industrial development.In recent years, Türkiye has strived to occupy a place in the global defense market. This cooperation is undoubtedly expected to boost the Turkish economic and military trade exports.For Saudi Arabia, this partnership is consistent with its economic diversification and pursuit of technological progress.
However, such cooperation may further exacerbate the tension between Saudi Arabia and the United States.The US Strategy and International Issues Research Center (CSIS) pointed out that if Saudi Arabia choose the five Turkish generation machines, this conveys a clear signal to the United States, that is, Saudi Arabia is willing to turn to the F-35 alternative supplier.This measure may cause damage to the US defense industry, because the United States has always been the most important supply of Saudi weapons and equipment.
The cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Turkey is heating up
In fact, cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Turkey is not impossible.On July 16, the "Safety and Development" summit participated in the "Safety and Development" summit participated in the US, Egypt, Jordan, and Iraqi leaders closed at Gada, Saudi Arabia.Both Turkey and Saudi Arabia attended the meeting, and later launched cooperation in the fields of defense and technology, such as Saudi Military Industry Corporation (SAMI).Human -machine, electronic systems and other fields.
For Saudi Arabia, in addition to product purchase, a major demand is to attach technical transfer and local production clauses in the purchase contract to enhance its own industrial and military capabilities.And these are not impossible for Türkiye.
According to the publicity information of TAI, the supply chain of TF-X project involves more than 200 companies, of which about 100 are Turkish local companies.In the future, the localization rate of the project will continue to increase, and the plan will eventually achieve more than 90%of the localization rate, which has laid the foundation for Saudi possible local assembly and manufacturing.
In terms of engine development, the Turkish Aviation Engine Industry Corporation (TEI) is promoting cooperation with the British car engine company TRMOTOR (Triumph Motor Company) to develop an autonomous power system for TF-X.
At present, in addition to geopolitical difficulties, the main difficulties in projects are that TF-X is currently in the test and development stage, and the real combat performance has not been verified.In addition, with the development of fighter testing and shaping work, and the simultaneous advancement of domesticization, Turkey still has doubts about how much support can provide Saudi Five -generation aircraft technology transfer and localized production.These may lead to lagging project progress.
In recent years, Turkeys aviation defense project has progressed rapidly. In addition to the five-generation aircraft project, its self-developed and stealth drone "Red Apple has also entered a dense test stage.In the future, Türkiyes progress in advanced aviation manufacturing deserves continuous attention.