I've been saying that Turkey should go for EF even before the latest F-16 Block 70 order was placed. That's the only logical option left on the table since the souring of relations with the US.
Chinese planes, could be good options for countries like Pakistan and Iran
For us, even if they were offered for free, we would say no, thank you. Far better it is for us to focus on our own fighter development than to waste engineers' time on WS-10, trying to make it work reliably. Avionics that don't work with our systems, etc.
Due to the need for stop gap fighters: There is an F-16 production authorization pending in the US Congress and ongoing EF negotiations with the UK. We have the capability to produce F-16s but not the authorization. Under-license production authorization needs to be obtained. Or they may come from a production line already in progress. All the infrastructure, logistics, training, documentation, decades of experience, everything about this platform is already in place.
Apart from this, the Air Force has no attempt, no planning, not even a request for Chinese or Russian systems. The Air Force wants MMU deliveries to begin in 2028 and hopes to reach operational capability for this new type of combat platform in the 2030s. This is what all the resources and constellation are focused on right now.
The problem is that the TAF cannot replace the squadrons operating F-4s, due to the unavailability of F-35s. Some squadrons had to be put out because of this. The problem is not the renewal of the existing F-16 operating squadrons, there is no problem there at the moment. The Turkish air force has one of the lowest accident rates among F-16 operators in the last 10 years. Not even one aircraft has been lost in the last five years. Moreover, we have one of the most extensive customized modernizations and system integrations works on F-16s, especially the 401st test squadron.
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One of the presidential advisors came out and tried to create public opinion by giving an extremely exaggerated figure for the life cycle cost of these aircraft due to the current US attitude.
His statement is as follows: "Turkiye should urgently change its decision on the F-16. For example, there was an option on the table with the F-35. Turkey had expectations from the program. Now there are other options, such as the Chinese aircraft sold to Pakistan, Russian aircraft and the Eurofighter. I believe that after the earthquakes, TR will reject the F-16 request, because it is $20 billion in total cost."
(This stupid understanding has undermined many strategic steps, from the MILGEM program's early stages to the negotiations for the purchase of other fighters (like EF development partnership offer) in the 90s, for example. It's not just about Akp, it's more about the power struggle in the defense bureaucracy.)
Depending on how you look at the issue, the message here may be different. However, no matter how differently you interpret it, it requires either a serious mental retardation or something more to try to manipulate this unofficial statement in an irrelevant way and to make propaganda out of it, as if the Ministry of Defense wants fighter jets from China.
In short, you are trying in vain here, my friend. Some people here will continue to say the same things even if you explain them for days.
