Ottoman's New Wings, Short-Takeoffs, and more

Jun 25, 2022

Turkish Air Force Bayraktar TB2 armed with Smart Micro Munitions MAM-C and MAM-L. Image Credits- Reddit- https://www.reddit.com/user/taraerme/

The ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict has put a spotlight on Turkey’s aviation industry when combat footage from Turkey’s Bayraktar TB2 drone striking Russian armour and artillery equipment went viral. However, recent interviews of Ukrainian pilots have shown that with an established Russian Air-Defence, the Bayraktar TB2 drone has become easy pickings. The drone which was first inducted in 2004 has now clocked 400,000 hours globally with more than 300 airframes being operated by Turkey, Azerbaijan, Ethiopia, Kyrgyzstan, Libya, Morocco, Niger, Pakistan, Qatar, Turkmenistan and Ukraine. The TB2 has been effectively used across multiple conflicts in Libya, Syria, the Nagorno-Karabakh war, and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, and is likely to be extensively used in future conflicts which require limited air power involvement, or in scenarios where the other side lacks a robust Air Defence network.

Turkey is also rapidly developing its fixed-wing fleet in order to replenish its ageing fleet of more than 200 F-16s, and with the uncertainty of the delivery of F-35s, Turkey has to rely on its indigenous production to secure its national interests. Apart from its ongoing work on the TF-X stealth fighter, Turkey is also producing the TAI Hurjet, a Light Combat aircraft which has created much intrigue amongst South East Asian Countries, particularly Malaysia, which is considering the HAL Tejas to fulfil its urgency for a smaller fighter aircraft.

Second Prototype of Kizilelma. Image Credits- Reddit- https://www.reddit.com/user/baris6655/

Recently at an Air-Expo, Turkey unveiled a prototype of a stealth unmanned fighter aircraft- Kizilelma, which has its first flight scheduled for 2023. Images from the TAI assembly line reveal that the second prototype for the Kizilelma has been manufactured and is undergoing electronic checks. According to Turkey’s claims, the Kizilelma will have an operational ceiling of 35,000 feet, with a load carrying capacity of 1.5 tons and a combat radius of 925 kms. Turkey also unveiled its ATAK 2 attack helicopter, a successor to the ATAK 1 which was a joint venture between Turkey and Italy’s Augusta Westland. Turkey is rapidly developing its aircraft manufacturing industry and is making great strides towards weapon modernisation.

Analysis

Turkey’s aviation sector really took off in the 21st century and is likely to gain momentum in the next two decades as its aviation industry has understood the needs of the Turkish armed forces, by producing cost-effective, reliable and combat ready aircraft with steady orders coming in from other countries as well. Ankara’s initial tilt towards the West gave it an advantage by collaborating with Western industries that have dominated the aviation sector. However, Turkey’s re-balancing act with a growing tilt towards China and Russia has created scepticism in the Western bloc, forcing Turkey to prioritise indigenous development of its air power, including manufacturing of new aircraft, weapon systems (including WVR, BVR missiles and smart precision munitions), along with calibrating new munition on its ageing fighter fleet.

In 2021, Turkey successfully test fired its indigenously developed **GÖKDOĞAN,** a BVR missile with a range of 65km, and the **BOZDOĞAN**, a WVR missile with a range of 25km. Image Credits- President Erdogan’s Office

Turkey’s success in creating pocket-friendly, effective and reliable aircraft systems means Pakistan will only grow closer to Turkey. As Pakistan struggles to keep its economy afloat, Western aircraft are out of reach for the PAF and it will have to rely on Chinese and Turkish industries to ensure the teeth of the PAF still pack a bite. For India, Turkish Aviation Industries is a direct competitor as both TAI and India’s HAL are working on similar platforms while competing for a new airspace in the aviation world, shifting the dependence of developing countries away from Western and Russian aviation manufacturers.