The feasibility and concept definition phase is underway but local defence media reports that it is going to be air defence / interceptor focused aircraft to supplement F-35 which means It will be developed to operate along with the F-35 in the future and will be replaced with the F-4s and aged F-16s..We need another 5th Generation to supplement F-35s by +2020s
But of course, the result of feasibility is important..If, as you mentioned, the result of that feasibility is negative (due to high cost-tech insufficienty-lack of effectiveness) we need to have a plan B
Thanks mate, be realistic it will cost you triple high prices. F-35 maintenance, supply parts, training are expensive along now with another TF-X project, however it is good to have plan B just in case.
Unfortunately the disappointing was its favorite partner South Korea and Indonesia are moving ahead to process KF-X/IF-X which Indonesia accepted 20% partnership shares.
I think, Turkey is working hard to be involved in manufacturing process which is difficult. Many European countries are carefully to analyst to purchase F-35, some of them cut half. Turkey didn't change their mind to stick with 100 F-35 ($16 billions).
Bayar said Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) could play a greater role in the program in such a way that would help reduce the cost. “As a program partner, TAI will complete 400 airplane central fuselages - the core structure around which the F-35 aircraft is built. TAI will get 4 billion dollars for the job. The investment has already been made. TAI could complete the central fuselage for 624 airplanes with no extra investment cost. It means that the process of the remaining airplanes’ central fuselage will cost $2 billion. Doing the job in Turkey could save $3.5 billion, since prices are higher in the U.S. and lower in Turkey,” a source said, on condition of anonymity.
ECONOMICS - Turkey proposes cost-cutting measure to US on F-35 project