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TheTurkish Air Force (Turkish:Türk Hava Kuvvetleri) is theair andspace force of theTurkish Armed Forces. It traces its origins to 1 June 1911 when it was founded as theAviation Squadrons by theOttoman Empire.[7] It was composed of theArmy Aviation Squadrons founded in 1911, and theNaval Aviation Squadrons founded in 1914 which usedseaplanes. The Air Force as a branch of the Turkish Armed Forces was founded by theGrand National Assembly of Turkey on 23 April 1920.[1]
As of 2023,[update] according toInternational Institute for Strategic Studies, the Turkish Air Force has an active strength of 50,000 military personnel and operates approximately 295 manned fixed-wing aircraft, 35 helicopters, and 52unmanned aerial vehicles.[8]: 143–144 In terms of aircraft quantity, it is the largest air force in Europe.[4]: 51 The world's first black pilot,Ahmet Ali Çelikten,[9] the world's first female fighter pilot,Sabiha Gökçen,[10] and the first female jet pilot accredited inNATO,Leman Altınçekiç, all served in the Turkish Air Force.[11][12]
The history ofOttoman military aviation dates back to between 20 June 1909[13][14] and 1 July 1911.[15] In 1911 the former commander of theAction ArmyMahmud Sevket Pasa achieved to send some Turkish military officers to the FrenchBleriot aviation school.[15]: 74 The same year the establishment of a Turkish airforce was taken into consideration. During theItalo-Turkish War of 1911, the Ottomans had to admit their disadvantage of not possessing an air force.[15]: 74–75 Subsequently, the Ottomans employed German and French engineers who helped them to establish an air force with a dozen airplanes.[15]: 75 TheOttoman Aviation Squadrons participated in theBalkan Wars (1912–1913) andWorld War I (1914–1918).[1][16] The fleet size reached its apex in December 1916, when the Ottoman Aviation Squadrons had 90 active combat aircraft. Some early help for the Ottoman Aviation Squadrons came from theImperial GermanFliegertruppe (known by that name before October 1916), with futureCentral Powers 13-victoryflying aceHans-Joachim Buddecke flying with the Turks early in World War I as just one example.[17] The General Inspectorate of Air Forces (Kuva-yı Havaiye Müfettiş-i Umumiliği) By July 1918, the Aviation Squadrons were reorganized as the General Inspectorate of Air Forces.[1]
After theArmistice of Mudros and the occupation of theOttoman Empire by theAllies in 1919, some Turkish aviators tried to build new units inIstanbul,İzmir, Konya,Elazığ andDiyarbakır with planes left over from World War I and tried to bring together flight personnel.[1] During theTurkish War of Independence, Turkish pilots joined theKonya Air Station (Konya Hava İstasyonu). With the formation of theGrand National Assembly (GNA) byMustafa Kemal and his colleagues on 23 April 1920, in Ankara, and the reorganization of the army, the Branch of Air Forces (Kuva-yı Havaiye Şubesi) was established under the Office of War (Harbiye Dairesi) of the GNA.[1] A few damaged aircraft belonging to the GNA were repaired, and afterwards used in combat.[citation needed]
In July 1922, it was reorganized as the Inspectorate of Air Forces (Kuva-yı Havaiye Müfettişliği) at Konya.[1][18]
After the establishment of theRepublic of Turkey on 29 October 1923, plans were made to form a modern air force. Originally consisting of three normal and one naval aviation units, and an air school, the number of units was increased to 10 normal and three naval aviation units.[19] Starting in 1924, personnel were sent abroad for flight education.[19] In 1925, the Air School was re-established inEskişehir and its first students graduated that same year.[19] In the same year, the Air Force was deployed to take part in a campaign aimed to suppress theSheikh Said rebellion.[20] The Inspectorate of Air Forces was reorganized as the Undersecretariat of the Ministry of Defense in 1928 and new schools were found for non-pilot personnel.[19] Some personnel were sent to the United Kingdom and France for training; others were sent to the United States and Italy in 1930.[19]
From 1932, the air regiments were considered to be a separate combat arm and started training its own personnel.[19] Turkish aviators wore blue uniforms from 1933.[19]
TheAir War College (Hava Harp Akademisi) was established in 1937.[19]
By 1940, Turkish air brigades had more than 500 combat aircraft in its inventory, becoming the largest air force in theBalkans and the Middle East.[19] The growing inventory of air brigades required another structural change, which was made in 1940.[19] The Air Undersecretariat under theMinistry of National Defense for logistical affairs and the General Staff for educational affairs were united to form the Air Force Command (Hava Kuvvetleri Komutanlığı) in 1944.[19] Thus, the Air Force became a separate branch of the Turkish Armed Forces.[21] The firstCommander of the Turkish Air Force was General Zeki Doğan.[21] Turkey did not enter World War II on the side of theAllies until February 1945. However, the Turkish Armed Forces went on full alert and were prepared for war following the military alliance between neighbouringBulgaria and theAxis Powers which was formalized in March 1941, and the occupation of neighbouring Greece by the Axis Powers in April 1941. Within a year, Turkey's borders were surrounded by German forces in the northwest and west, and Italian forces in the southwest. The Turkish Air Force made daily reconnaissance flights over Bulgaria, Greece, the Greek Islands in theAegean Sea, and theDodecanese Islands which then belonged to Italy, to monitor the positions of the Axis forces. The large cities in western Turkey were darkened at nights, and anti-aircraft guns and searchlights were deployed for defence against possible enemy planes. Almost all available money in the Turkish Government Treasury was used to purchase new weapons from any available provider in the world. The Turkish Air Force received large numbers of new aircraft in this period, includingSupermarine Spitfire Mk.I/V/IX/XIX,Curtiss Falcon CW-22R/B,Fairey Battle-I,Avro Anson-I,Hawker Hurricane I/II,Morane-Saulnier M.S.406,Curtiss P-40 Tomahawk, Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk,Westland Lysander-I,Consolidated B-24D Liberator B-24,Bristol Blenheim IV/V,Bristol Beaufort,Bristol Beaufighter Mk.I/X,Focke-Wulf Fw 190-A3,Martin 187 Baltimore,De Havilland DH.98 Mosquito Mk.III/IV,Douglas B-26B/C Invader,P-47D Thunderbolt andDouglas C-47A/B Dakota.
The Air Machinist School (Hava Makinist Okulu) was reorganized as Aircraft Maintenance School (Hava Uçak Bakım Okulu) on 2 January 1950[22] to unite schools responsible for training non-pilot Air Force personnel.[21] In 1950 it also was decided to upgrade the Air Force fleet through the inclusion of jets.[21] Eight pilots were sent to the United States for jet pilot training.[21] They graduated in 1951 and started training jet pilots in the Turkish Air Force.[21] In the same year, the 9th Fighter Wing (9’uncu Ana Jet Üssü) was founded in Balıkesir as Turkey's first fighter wing; the 191st, 192nd, and 193rd squadrons being the first ones which were established.[21] Further training in the United States followed, usually involving jet manufacturers. In 1951 theAir Force Academy was formed with integrating some air schools inEskişehir and its first academic year started on 1 October 1951.[23] In 1956 theHava Eğitim Kolordu Komutanlığı (Air Education Corps Command) was founded and all education was united under this command. The command was renamed asHava Eğitim Komutanlığı (Air Education Command) in 1957.[21]
Upon Turkey's membership toNATO in 1952, the process of modernization was accelerated.[21] In 1962 theTaktik Hava Kuvveti (Tactical Air Force) was founded by upgrading theHava Tümeni (Air Division) units to corps-level organizations.
In 1972, the force underwent major reorganization. The roundel was changed, the fleets were rebuilt and propelled airplanes were phased out in favour of jet-powered ones.
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In 1974 the Air Force was employed during theTurkish invasion of Cyprus.[21] With the arrival of the first batch of 40third generationF-4E Phantom II fighter jets ordered in 1972 and acquired between 1974 and 1978,[24] the Air Force was reorganized.[21] This was followed by a second order in 1978 of another batch of 40 units (32 F-4Es and 8 RF-4Es, deliveries began in 1980).[24] Another batch of 70 more F-4Es were acquired between 1981 and 1987,[24] and 40 more F-4Es were acquired between 1991 and 1992,[24] as well as 46 more RF-4E reconnaissance aircraft.[24] In total, the Turkish Air Force received 236 F-4 Phantom II (182 F-4E and 54 RF-4E) aircraft.[24] In 1997,IAI was selected to upgrade 54 of Turkey's F-4E fighter aircraft to theF-4E Terminator 2020 standard.[25] The upgraded aircraft were delivered between 1999 and 2003; of these, 26 aircraft were upgraded in Israel and the remaining 28 were upgraded in Turkey.[25]
In 1983 Turkey ordered thefourth-generationF-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft and started receiving them in 1987.[26] The Turkish Air Force has received a total of 270F-16C/D aircraft in its inventory, all of them Block 30/40/50 models.[26] Turkey is one of five countries thatlocally produce F-16 fighter jets.[26]
In 1995, the Turkish Air Force took part inNATO'sOperation Deliberate Force.
In 1998, theTurkish Armed Forces announced a program of modernization worth US$160 billion over a twenty-year period in various projects,[27] with $45 billion earmarked for the overhaul of the Turkish Air Force, and included the commissioning new combat aircraft (consisting of multi-role and fifth generation stealth fighters) and helicopters (consisting of heavy lift, attack, medium lift and light general purpose helicopters).[28]
Turkey provided 18 F-16s for theNATO campaign against Serbia duringOperation Allied Force in 1999. Of these, 11TAI-built F-16s were stationed at the NATO base inAviano, Italy, while the other 7 were based inAnkara, Turkey. All were equipped with laser-guided bombs using theLANTIRN night vision system. Turkish jets had previously patrolled Balkan airspace, providing protection for attacking aircraft. During this allied air campaign,TAI-built F-16s set a worldCAP record by patrolling for 9 hours and 22 minutes above the Balkan theatre. Normally,CAP missions last between 3 and 4 hours.
Turkey participated in theUnited Nations peacekeeping mission inBosnia-Herzegovina, employing two squadrons (one in theGhedi fighter wing, and after 2000 one in theAviano fighter wing).[21] They returned to Turkey in 2001.
In 2006, 4 Turkish F-16 fighter jets were deployed for NATO'sBaltic Air Policing operation.
In December 2007, the Turkish Air Force initiated Operation Northern Iraq, which continued until the end of February 2008, eventually becoming a part ofOperation Sun. At the initial phase of this operation, on 16 December 2007, the TuAF used theAGM-65 Maverick andAGM-142 Popeye/Have Nap during a night bombardment for the first time.
In August 2011, the Turkish Air Force launched multipleaerial raids against the PKK in Iraq, striking 132 targets in six days. In 2013, the Turkish Air Forcebegan striking ISIL targets in Syria and Iraq. In July 2015, duringOperation Martyr Yalçın, the Turkish Air Force launched air strikes againstISIL andPKK targets in Syria and Iraq.
On 22 June 2012, during theSyrian civil war, a TurkishRF-4E Phantom II reconnaissance aircraft wasshot down by a Syrian surface-to-air missile and crashed into the Mediterranean Sea; both the pilot and the navigator lost their lives.[29][30] On 23 March 2014, a Turkish F-16 shot down a SyrianMiG-23 near the Turkey-Syria border; the Syrian pilot was reported to have safelyejected from the aircraft.[31][32] On 24 November 2015, a Turkish F-16shot down a RussianSu-24 strike aircraft which, according to Turkish authorities, had violated Turkish airspace by crossing the Turkey-Syria border. The Russian government contested those claims, stating that the aircraft never entered Turkish airspace.[33][34] The pilot and navigator both ejected from the aircraft; the navigator was rescued, but the pilot was shot and killed by Syrian rebel ground fire while descending by parachute.[35] The incident sparked a crisis in Turkey's relations with Russia, which wererestored in 2016 when Turkish President Erdoğan expressed his regret and condolences to Russian President Putin.[36]
Other important air strikes by the Turkish Air Force in recent years includeOperation Euphrates Shield (2016–2017),Operation Olive Branch (2018–2019),Operation Peace Spring (2019),Turkish intervention in Libya (2020),Operation Spring Shield (2020), andOperation Claw Sword (2022).
The Turkish Air Force contributes personnel and aircraft to the command centers and air bases ofNATO and actively participates in the exercises of the alliance in Europe and North America.
The headquarters of NATO'sAllied Air Component Command forSouthern Europe (formerly designated as AIRSOUTH and originally headquartered inNaples, Italy) was established inİzmir, Turkey, on 11 August 2004.Allied Air Command İzmir was deactivated on 1 June 2013, when theAllied Air Command (AIRCOM) at theRamstein Air Base in Germany became the sole Allied Air Component Command of NATO.[37]
Turkey is one of five NATO member states which are part of thenuclear sharing policy of the alliance, together with Belgium,Germany, Italy, and theNetherlands.[38] A total of 90B61 nuclear bombs are hosted at theIncirlik Air Base, 40 of which are allocated for use by the Turkish Air Force in case of a nuclear conflict, but their use requires the approval of NATO.[39]
After the firstaerobatics formation in the history of the Turkish Air Force was performed by Lt. Gen. Fazıl Bey on March 5, 1914, at an altitude of 1312 feet, other Turkish pilots also tried various acrobatic moves. The first "official"aerobatics studies within the Turkish Air Force, which quickly took its place in world aviation history in terms of aerobatics, began in 1926 at theTurkish Air Force Acacemy. This group, which was formed under the leadership of flight instructor Plt. Gen. Enver Akoğlu and included Plt. Gen.Tekin Arıburun, carried out extremely successful studies. The first aerobatics team in the Turkish Air Force, which was suitable for today's modern and advanced technology aviation approach, was established in 1952 under the name "Milli" (National) immediately after the transition to the jet era. This acroteam, which was established at the 9th Air Base Command in Balıkesir, the first jet base of the Turkish Air Force, used theF-84G Thunderbird. This first team, call sign "Milli", which operated between 1952 and 1962, achieved significant successes. The acrobatic team namedMilli, which performed numerous flight displays in Turkey, managed to make a name for itself with the shows it organized primarily in Italy and Belgium. The call sign of the second acrobatic team in history, established in 1955 at the4th Air Base Command in Ankara, was "Uçan Kuğular" (Flying Swans) UsingF-86E Sabre aircraft painted in red and white with swan motifs embroidered on the nose sections, this aerobatics team continued its activities for 10 years. "Uçan Kuğular" gained an important place in Turkish and world aviation history with the 9 and 12 shows it performed in 1964. The aerobatics team, call sign "Akrep" (Scorpion) established towards the end of 1957 at the 8th Air Base Command in Diyarbakır and being the third Turkishaerobatics team in history; It continued its activities until 1959. The acro team, whose aircraft type wasF-84G, participated in various shows both in Turkey and abroad (Pakistan). The fourth acro team in Turkish aviation history, bearing the call sign "Yarasalar", was established in 1964 at the 5th Main Jet Base Command inMerzifon. This acro team, whose aircraft type wasF-86E Sabre and whose aircraft were painted with a special motif in black and white, operated for 2 years and performed 5, 9 and 12 aerobatics shows. This acro team, which was established in 1966 and called “Kartal” (Eagle) from 1966 to 1971, received the call sign “Coşkun” (Enthusiastic) after the death of Lit. Coşkun Turan, who was on duty in the team, during a mission flight on 21 May 1971. The aircraft type of the acro team, established at theBandırma 6th Main Jet Base Command, is theF-5A Freedom Fighter. The acro team, called “Coşkun”, performed flight demonstrations in Turkey and around the world (1971 in Italy). No continuously active acroteam was established between 1971 and 1992.
After a 20-year hiatus, the Turkish Air Force decided to establish an acroteam again and started activities to implement the project in 1992. In accordance with the directives of theCommander of the Turkish Air Force, Gen. Halis Burhan, work was started for the establishment of an acroteam in 1992 and approval was received for the establishment of an acroteam within the 132nd Weapon Tactics and Standardized Squadron Command at the Konya 3rd Main Jet Base on 11 September 1992. While the establishment and examination studies were continuing rapidly, the order to establish an acroteam consisting of fourNF-5 wings within the 132nd Squadron was issued on 7 November 1992. In the meantime, the selection of the first four pilots who would constitute the core of the acroteam was made. In 1993, double training was started and the planned acrobatic movements were tried and the desired result was achieved after a flight of five sorties. Later, training of right and left wing fliers was started and quadruple training was started. In the meantime, some of the personnel working in the acroteam were sent to England, Canada and Italy to conduct research on the subject. In order to fulfill the acroteam duty with more safety and efficiency, a study was started on April 27, 1993 for the modifications to be made on the NF-5 aircraft, primarily the smoke system and painting of the aircraft, to increase flight safety. While the studies were ongoing, on June 18, 1993, the closing day of the Turkish Air Force Command Shooting Competitions, theTurkish Stars acroteam performed its first official display as a quartet to state dignitaries and other guests at the4th Main Jet Base Command in Ankara. Following this display theTurkish Stars, which gained fleet status, managed to make a name for itself as the youngest supersonic acrobatic team in the world. In August 1993, the aircraft modification/painting activities were initiated by the1st Main Jet Base Command and Maintenance Center Command in Eskişehir. During this process, five- and six-wing flight training was also initiated. The modifications and changes made to the 9NF-5 and 1NF-5B aircraft allocated to theTurkish Stars acroteam were completed in July 1994 and delivered to the unit.[40]
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In 1984, theTurkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) was established and Turkey started to produce fighter aircraft locally under license, including a total of 232F-16 Fighting Falcon (Block 30/40/50) aircraft for the Turkish Air Force. Making it one of the only five countries in the world which produce the fourth generation jet fighter.[41] The air force had previously received 8 F-16s that were purchased directly from the United States, bringing the total number of F-16s received by the air force to 245.[41] In 2007TAI built 30 F-16 Block 50+ aircraft for the airforce[42][43] and applied the CCIP modernization program to 117 of its Block 40 and 50 F-16s, bringing them to the Block 50+ configuration.[44][45]
Dozens of TAI-built F-16s were also exported to other countries, particularly in the Middle East. A total of 46TAI-built F-16s have been exported to theEgyptian Air Force under the Peace Vector IV Program (1993–1995), making it TAI's second-largest F-16 customer after the Turkish Air Force.[46]
On 11 July 2002, Turkey became a Level 3 partner of theF-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) development program, and on 25 January 2007, Turkey officially joined the production phase of the JSF program, agreeing to purchase a total of 116F-35 Lightning II aircraft (100F-35ACTOL for the Turkish Air Force and 16F-35BSTOVL for theTurkish Naval Forces).[47]
Turkey placed an initial order for 30F-35 Lightning IIs,[48] six of which were completed as of 2019[48] and two more were at the assembly line in 2020.[49][50] The first four F-35As were delivered toLuke Air Force Base between 21 June 2018 and 5 April 2019 for the training of Turkish pilots.[51][52]
On 17 July 2019, theU.S. Senate passed a defense spending bill which prevents the Turkish Air Force from obtaining theF-35 stealth fighter aircraft due to the country's acquisition of theS-400 missile system fromRussia.[53] As of 2023, the U.S. has not refunded the $1.4 billion payment made by Turkey for purchasing the F-35A fighters and instead offered to support the sale of Block 70 F-16 fighter jets and the modernization program for the F-16 fleet of the Turkish Airforce.[54]
In January 2024, the U.S. State Department passed a $23 billion package that included the modernization of existing F16 fleets and new 40 F16 Block 70 fighter jets, as well as a wide range of ammunitions.[55] As of August 2024, the project is continuing on as planned, as the Turkish Defense Minister said.[56]
A total of fourBoeing 737 AEW&C Peace Eagle (Barış Kartalı) aircraft (together with ground support systems) were ordered by the Turkish Air Force, with an option for two more aircraft. TAI is the primary subcontractor for the Peace Eagle parts production, aircraft modification, assembly and tests. Another subcontractor,HAVELSAN, is responsible for system analysis and software support.[57]
Signed on 23 July 2003, the contract to Boeing was valued at US$1.385 billion, which was later reduced by US$59 million because some of the requirements were not met. The down payment to Boeing amounted to US$637 million. The project consists of the delivery of 737-700 airframes, ground radars and control systems, ground control segments for mission crew training, mission support and maintenance support.[58]
Peace Eagle 1 was modified and tested byBoeing Integrated Defense Systems in Seattle, Washington, USA. Peace Eagle 2, 3 and 4 were modified and tested at the facilities of TAI in Ankara, Turkey, with the participation of Boeing and a number of Turkish companies.[59] As of mid-2007, systems integration was ongoing and airworthiness certification works continued. In September 2007, Boeing completed the first test flight of Turkey's AEW&C 737.[60]
On 4 June 2008, it was announced that Turkish Aerospace Industries completed the first in-country modification of aBoeing 737-700 into an airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) platform for Turkey's Peace Eagle program.[61]
The first Peace Eagle aircraft, namedKuzey (meaning North) was formally accepted into Turkish Air Force inventory on 21 February 2014.[62] The remaining three aircraft will be namedGüney (South),Doğu (East) andBatı (West).[63]
The six-year delay was a result of Boeing experiencing difficulties while developing some features required by the Turkish Air Force. Turkey demanded compensation of US$183 million from Boeing for the delay. The payment of the penalty is requested in the form of increased start-up support period from an initially planned two years to five years, as well as three years of software maintenance service and around US$32 million in spare parts.[58]
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In 1994 the Turkish Air Force signed a deal to lease two and purchase sevenBoeing KC-135R Stratotanker aerial refueling tanker aircraft.[64] Following the arrival of all seven purchased aircraft, the two leased KC-135Rs were returned to the United States.[64]
All seven KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft of the Turkish Air Force have received the Pacer CRAG (Compass, Radar And GPS) upgrade.
The KC-135R-CRAG Stratotanker aerial refueling tanker aircraft of the Turkish Air Force are operated by the 101st Squadron, stationed at theIncirlik Air Base.[64]
Turkey is a partner nation in theAirbus A400M Atlas production program.
The Turkish Air Force has ordered a total of ten A400M Atlas aircraft.[65] The first two A400M Atlas were delivered to the Turkish Air Force in 2014.[66] All A400M Atlas deliveries to the Turkish Air Force were completed by 2018.[67]
TAI produces several components of the A400M Atlas, including the middle-front fuselage, emergency exit doors, rear fuselage upper panels, rear upper escape doors, ailerons and spoilers; which are sent to theAirbus Military factory inSpain for assembly.[68]
The Turkish Air Force also uses theC-130 Hercules,C-160 Transall andCASA CN-235 military transport aircraft.
The transport helicopters used by the Turkish Armed Forces include theBoeing CH-47 Chinook,Sikorsky S-70 Black Hawk andEurocopter AS532 Cougar.
Turkey will procure 12C-130J-30(C4) Super Hercules transportation aircraft fromRAF stocks.[69]
Initially, 15TAI Hürkuş were acquired by the Air Force but later they were discarded for export. The advanced basic trainer Hürkuş 2 is a newly developed model of the aircraft developed from the previous B variant and is expected to enter Turkey's inventory after 2025. 55 aircraft were ordered.[70]
As of 2023[update], the Turkish Air Force operatesHALEUCAVs such as theBaykar Akıncı, andMALE UCAVs such as theTAI Aksungur,TAI Anka, and theIAI Heron. The jet-engined UCAVBaykar Kızılelma is developed for the Turkish Air Force andTurkish Naval Forces; its maiden flight was successfully completed on 14 December 2022.[71] Having been unable to purchase the armed version ofPredatorUCAVs from the United States, Turkey has fitted these drones with indigenousMAM series munitions, while the Baykar Akıncı HALE UCAV can also be armed with theSOMcruise missile.[72]
The runway tests ofTAI Anka-3, ajet-powered,flying wing typeUCAV withstealth technology, began in April 2023.[73] Its maiden flight was successfully completed on 28 December 2023.[74][75] On October 30, 2024, a TAI Anka-3 UCAV armed with acruise missile became the first drone in history to be controlled by another aircraft in theloyal wingman role, representing an advancement in remote control capabilities for military aviation.[76]
As of 2024, the Turkish Air Force operates the military intelligence satellitesGöktürk-2 (in orbit since 2012),Göktürk-1 (since 2016), andTürksat 5A (since 2021), whileGöktürk-3 is scheduled to be launched and placed into orbit in 2025.[77] Göktürk-2 is a 2m resolution reconnaissance satellite for use by theNational Intelligence Organization, launched in 2012. Göktürk-1 is a 0.8m resolution reconnaissance satellite for use by theTurkish Armed Forces, launched in 2016. Some electro-optical parts that were required for the Göktürk-1 (0.8m resolution) satellite were beyond TAI's technological know-how, thus a foreign partner was sought. The official bidders for the project wereEADS Astrium (U.K.),OHB-System (Germany) andTelespazio (Italy);[78] and the contract was won by Telespazio of Italy.[79]
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Göktürk-2 was launched from theJiuquan Launch Area 4 / SLS-2 inChina by aLong March 2D space launch vehicle at 16:12:52UTC on 18 December 2012. It was placed into alow Earth orbit of 686 km (426 mi) at 16:26 UTC. The first signal from Göktürk-2 was received at 17:39 UTC by theTromsø Satellite Station, northernNorway.
Göktürk-1 was launched later, after numerous delays due to political and business disputes, at 13:51:44 UTC on 5 December 2016, from theGuiana Space Center, on Vega flight VV08 of theEuropean Space Agency'sVega rocket.
In 2013 Turkey approved the construction byRoketsan of its first satellite launching center, initially for low earth orbit satellites.[80]
In 2015, Turkey and Ukraine signed a space program cooperation agreement worth billions of dollars.[81]
Türksat 5A was launched on 8 January 2021, at 02:15:00 UTC fromCape Canaveral (CCSFS),SLC-40. It greatly extended the range of drone operations from the west ofEurope to the east ofKazakhstan, with more resistance against jamming, rejection and wiretapping; high-definition live streams of targets and commanding of munitions drops.[82][83]
Air defense is comprised mostly of US supplied weaponry such asHAWK missiles, licensed productions likeOerlikon cannons and locally designed systems such asSIPER.
The United States has imposedCountering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) sanctions on Turkey for purchasing anS-400 air-and-missile defence system from Russia, after their official request to procureMIM-104 Patriot systems were declined.[84]
On October 27, 2025, Turkish presidentRecep Tayyip Erdoğan signed an £8 billion ($10.7 billion) deal with British prime ministerKeir Starmer to purchase 20 newEurofighter Typhoon Tranche 4 fighter aircraft.[85][86] According to the UK, the first batch will be delivered in 2030.[85] Turkey has also formally proposed to purchase 12 Eurofighter Typhoon Tranche 3 aircraft fromQatar and another 12 aircraft of the same type fromOman; which, if realized, would bring the total number to 44.[87][88]
In December 2010, Turkey'sUndersecretariat for Defense Industries signed an agreement withTAI for afifth generationfighter aircraft to ultimately replace the F-16 Fighting Falcon on a project called MMU (Milli Muharip Uçak, Turkish for "National Combat Aircraft").[91][92] In June 2021, the Turkish Air Force made an official presentation of theTF-X program to the media, which later became known as theTAI TF Kaan.[93] The aircraft is designed and developed as a low-observable, twin-engine,[94] all-weatherair superiority fighter[95] by TAI andBAE Systems as its sub-contractor.[96][97] The TAI TF Kaan is planned to complement and eventually replace the F-16s of the Turkish Air Force and to be exported to foreign nations.[98] The runway tests of the prototype began on 16 March 2023.[99] The aircraft'smaiden flight was successfully completed on 21 February 2024 and second flight was completed successfully on 6 May 2024.[100][101][102]
Bayraktar Kızılelma fighter drone and theflying wing typeTAI Anka-3 strike drone are the two jet-powered,low-observable UCAVs developed as part of Project MIUS.
Bayraktar Kızılelma, developed as part of Project MIUS (Turkish: Muharip İnsansız Uçak Sistemi "Combatant Unmanned Aircraft System"), completed its first flight on 14 December 2022,[104][105][106] whileTAI Anka-3 completed its first flight on 28 December 2023.[74][75][76]
An advanced jet trainer named theTAI Hürjet is under development, and is planned to start replacing theT-38 Talon andCF5 by 2025.[107] The prototype made its first flight on 25 April 2023.[108] Four Block 0 prototypes and twelve Block 1 mass production aircraft have been ordered.[109]
Prior to 2014, combatant units of the Turkish Air Force were organized under numbered 1st and 2nd Air Forces, which were respectively responsible for the western and eastern airspace. They were later unified into centralized Combatant Air Force and Air Defense Commands, which both are located in Eskişehir.[110] 4th Main Jet Base Command was closed following the2016 Turkish coup attempt and is now used as a temporary airfield for the Air Force.
1st Main Jet Base Command (Eskişehir)
3rd Main Jet Base Command (Konya)
132nd Weapons & Tactics Squadron "Daggers"5th Main Jet Base Command (Amasya)
151st Squadron "Vultures" (SEAD)6th Main Jet Base Command (Balıkesir)
8th Main Jet Base Command (Diyarbakır)
9th Main Jet Base Command (Balıkesir)
10th Main Jet Base Command (Incirlik)
14th Unmanned Aircraft Systems Command (Batman)
15th Missile Base Command (Istanbul)
11st Air Transportation Main Base Command (Ankara)
12nd Air Transportation Main Base Command (Kayseri)
2nd Main Jet Base Command (Izmir)
Air Technical Schools Command (Izmir)
Aircraft Maintenance School
F-16C/D Falcon
F-16C/D Falcon /F-4E 2020T Terminator
Unmanned aerial vehicles
F-16C/D Falcon
T-38M Talon
Missile bases
Other flying units
Radar station
Command and Control CenterThe above commands consist of:[111]
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 Turkish Air Force[112] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | .svg) | ||||||||||||
| Mareşal | Orgeneral | Korgeneral | Tümgeneral | Tuğgeneral | Albay | Yarbay | Binbaşı | Yüzbaşı | Üsteğmen | Teğmen | Asteğmen | |||||||||||||
| NATO code | OR-9 | OR-8 | OR-7 | OR-6 | OR-5 | OR-4 | OR-3 | OR-2 | OR-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turkish Air Force[112] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | No insignia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Astsubay kıdemli başçavuş | Astsubay başçavuş | Astsubay kıdemli üstçavuş | Astsubay üstçavuş | Astsubay kıdemli çavuş | Astsubay çavuş | Astsubay astçavuş | Uzman çavuş | Çavuş | Uzman onbaşı | Onbaşı | Er | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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_US_Air_Force_Captain_Andrea_Gormel%2c_39th_Wing_CHIEF_of_Military_Justice%2c_First_Lieutenant_Kader_Sumer%2c_Turkish_Air_Force_Communications_Squadron_Commander%2c_Captain_O_-_DPLA_-_4103569580480871bae042d1413efa54.jpeg)
This article incorporatespublic domain material fromThe World Factbook (2025 ed.).CIA. (Archived 2004 edition.)| Leadership |  | |
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