An article in the American press discussed the withdrawal of Turkey from the F-35 program, while the case of the National Combat Aircraft (MMU or TF-X) was mentioned. “Turkey is now trying to make its own.”
The US-based analytics site 19FortyFive (1945) assessed Turkey’s exclusion from the F-35 program as a result of the S-400 crisis with the US and sanctions. Maya Carlin’s article described the process of the fighter aircraft project known as the National Combat Aircraft (MMU) or Turkish Fighter X (TF-X).
Turkey buys Russian S-400 air defense system, Carlin says the decision has prompted Turkey to step up its own stealth fighter program.
In Carlin’s article, “Turkey and Pakistan are working together to design and build a new fifth-generation stealth fighter jet. The twin-engine TF-X stealth fighter was first announced in 2016 and the aircraft is now preparing to make its maiden flight in 2025. The Turkish Aerospace and Space Industry presented a full-scale model of the National Combat Aircraft at this February Air Show in Sioux. . he said.
Carlin said that after Turkey’s withdrawal from the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke to Pakistan to develop an alternative.
The article states, “The TF-X will replace the country’s aging F-16 fleet. The new fifth-generation aircraft, dubbed “the first major fighter in the Islamic world,” will improve Turkey-Pakistan defense relations and reduce Ankara’s dependence on US aircraft.
“The TF-X will be an aircraft with air-to-air and air-to-ground attack capabilities. The aircraft is said to have state-of-the-art radar, networked drone control and advanced weapons interior. Erdogan has developed ties with Bangladesh, Kazakhstan and Malaysia through arms sales and other military cooperation efforts. With the support of the Pakistani-Turkish joint fifth-generation fighter, this change could relieve Turkey of the need for US-made military equipment in the future.
While it is important to improve relations with the countries of South Asia, Erdogan’s reasoning for choosing Pakistan as his fighter development partner is likely to have to do with China as well. Pakistan has been receiving military exports from China for decades. The People’s Liberation Army has provided Islamabad with the technology needed to develop missiles, tanks, jets and even submarines. Ever since the US withdrew Turkey from the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program, Erdogan has been able to move through Pakistan to gain access to China’s fighter jet technology.
Erdogan sees the “first big warplane in the Islamic world” as a Turkish victory. “The National Combat Aircraft will replenish Ankara’s aging air arsenal and strengthen Turkey as the region’s defense producer.”
