Turkish made training planes to be delivered in 2018

ANKARA - Anadolu Agency

Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) says they plan to deliver the local training plane, Hürkuş, to the Turkish Air Force in 2018, if a deal is signed this year. AA photo

Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) set to start serial production of the local training plane, Hürkuş, while the orders is planned to be delivered to Turkish Air Force in 2018, an official has said.

The Defense Industry Executive Committee, led by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, decided late on Sept. 26 to start serial production of Hürkuş, manufactured by the TAI, in order to provide 15 training planes to the Turkish Air Force.

Özcan Ertem, TAI Aircraft Group Head, said on Sept. 28 that if there was an agreement between TAI and the Undersecretariat for Defense Industries (SSM) by the end of this year, they would deliver the first Hürkuş in 2017 and the remaining 14 in 2018.

The Hürkuş succeeded in its first flight at the end of August. The basic training plane was designed by engineers at TAI to meet the military’s need for training and armored light close air support planes.

The test will finally be completed after hundreds of sorties, after which the plane will receive a certificate from the Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communication Ministry.

The Hürkuş will also be certified by the European Aviation Safety Agency for export.