Turkey’s indigenous TFX fighter jet to fly twice the speed of sound by 2023

ISTANBUL

Turkey’s indigenous fighter jet TFX is set to fly at twice the speed of sound in 2023, daily Habertürk reported on Dec. 15.

The fighter jet’s development was activated in a major defense deal between TUSAŞ/TAI (Turkish Aerospace Industries) and the U.K. following a meeting held in Ankara attended by British Prime Minister Theresa May and Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım on Jan. 28.

The deal, announced by the prime ministers, was worth more than 100 million British pounds, Reuters had reported on the day of the signing.

Once it takes to the skies, the aircraft is expected to fly until 2070.

By developing technologies such as low-visibility, internal gun compartments, high maneuvering capacity, increased situational awareness and sensor fusion in the TFX 2023, Turkey would be among countries such as the U.S. and China to have the infrastructure and technology to produce a fifth generation fighter jet, the report said.

The TFX 2023, 19 meters in length and 12 meters in width, is expected to take its place in the Turkish Air Forces and become active in the fleet by 2030.

The indigenous war jet will replace the current F-16s gradually, the report added.