Interesting. Makes you wish the MAKO had been built... (preferably with EJ200)

Range could turn out to be a decider here. The C-101 had an unusual requirement to reach the Canary Islands from the mainland without tanker support. Spain has since acquired greater refueling capacity (3x MRTT plus A400M instead of 2x707), but the ability might still count as a favourable factor. On that basis, the M-346 and T-7 could possibly have an edge over the other two (highest fuel fractions). Not sure the T-50 even has an operational refueling capability, although development of a probe/drogue installation has been contracted.
Intriguingly, Hurjet has more range than the T-50 which shares similar specs. This design choice results in less payload though.

Screenshot 2024-05-23 185857.png Screenshot 2024-05-23 190051.png
 
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Well, what an interesting news. No need to have expectations, but it's still interesting. Egypt had previously shown interest in local production of KAI's T-50
HÜRJET changed its route to its first international flight:
• HÜRJET will participate in the Egypt International Airshow on 3-5 September and will showcase its skills with a flight show.
• Egypt is interested in HÜRJET. At the airshow, meetings will be held with regional countries, especially Egypt, regarding HÜRJET and other TAI products.
View: https://x.com/gooksel/status/1796496964697178261
 
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Now I do find this unlikely...

(The same companies have previously teamed up in the T-X competition though)

The U.S. Navy is pushing back the potential contract award for a new trainer by two years as it still tries to determine whether the T-45 Goshawk replacement would need to practice carrier landings.

The service released another request for information (RFI) for the Undergraduate Jet Training System on June 26, saying the service is now looking at a potential solicitation in the third quarter of fiscal 2026 and a contract award in the second quarter of fiscal 2028. A previous RFI said a contract award was targeted for 2026.
Another possible competitor could be Sierra Nevada Corp., which has teased a U.S. Navy trainer-painted rendering of its Freedom. SNC teamed with Turkish Aerospace Industries to offer the aircraft, a modified version of the TAI Hurjet.
https://aviationweek.com/defense-sp...us-navy-pushes-back-t-45-replacement-timeline
 
SNC and TAI were at each other's throats after the T-X competition. If they teamed up again, that would be a legit "miracle."
 
SNC and TAI were at each other's throats after the T-X competition. If they teamed up again, that would be a legit "miracle."
:O I haven't heard about this before but it also seems likely. Could you provide a source?
 

Turkish Aerospace, TUSAŞ Engine Industries and GE Aerospace Sign MOU to Extend Collaboration on HÜRJET Advanced Training Jet Program​

tei_fia.jpg


https://www.geaerospace.com/news/pr...e-industries-and-ge-aerospace-sign-mou-extend


Edit: View: https://x.com/GE_Aerospace/status/1815406221299458458
 
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HÜRJET, the New Generation Jet Trainer Aircraft developed by TAI, will go to Spain within the scope of the project initiated by the Spanish Air and Space Forces (SASF) to replace the SF-5M training aircraft in its inventory.
View: https://x.com/DefenceTurkey/status/1816773523051827336


Defence Turkey Magazine also tweeted this before deleting it quickly (they're the most credible news source, so make of this what you will):
According to sources speaking to Defense Turkey, Spain is offering to pay for the procurement of 24 HÜRJETs through the sale of 6 A400Ms to the Turkish Air Force through Airbus (i.e. by barter method).

Edit: Turns out the quote is a part of the article they've published today:

According to information we have previously received, a delegation from the Spanish Air and Space Force, including pilots, was expected to visit TAI facilities in Ankara at the end of this month or in August to examine the HURJET on site. However, the fact that the HURJET will go directly to Spain came as a surprise to us. The top potential customers for HURJET include Azerbaijan, Spain and Canada. Negotiations between TAI and these countries are ongoing, and TAI aims to sell 100 HURJETs to the Turkish Air Force and 300 HURJETs to its international customers by the mid-2030s. According to sources who spoke to Defence Turkey, Spain is offering to pay for the procurement of 24 HURJETs by selling 6 A400Ms to the Turkish Air Force via Airbus (i.e. by barter). The Turkish Air Force has been working to increase the number of A400Ms in its inventory for some time, but additional purchases could not be made due to budget constraints.

The Spanish Air and Space Force (SASF), which has been searching for a next-generation jet trainer to replace the SF-5Ms produced under license by CASA since 2023, aims to add the next-generation jet trainer to its inventory by 2028. The HÜRJET is one of four candidates (Boeing T-7, KAI T-50 and Leonardo M-346) to replace the SASF’s aging SF-5M Freedom Fighter Jet Trainer Aircraft (designated AE.9). If selected, the HÜRJET New Generation Jet Trainer Aircraft will replace 19 Northrop SF-5Ms currently being used to train SASF pilot candidates on the EF-18M Hornet and Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft at the 23rd Squadron (Ala 23) based at Talavera La Real Air Base in Badajoz. Spain had previously selected the Pilatus PC-21 (designated E.27) turboprop trainer aircraft to replace the C-101 Aviojets trainer aircraft, ordering a total of 40 aircraft in two batches (24 + 16 delivered between September 2021 and June 2022). The Integrated SASF Training System involves a two-stage training program in which pilots begin flying the PC-21 (replacing the T-35C Pillan and C-101 Aviojets) at San Javier Air Base, before moving on to advanced flight (on SF-5Ms) at Ala 23 in Talavera La Real. Therefore, if the HÜRJET, which promises innovative technologies and capabilities, is selected, the total number of aircraft from 24 has the potential to increase to 40.

Cadiz-based Spanish company Airtificial is among the foreign companies collaborating with TUSAŞ in the development phase of HÜRJET. Airtificial manufactures active and passive control arms (flight control levers) for HÜRJET. Airtificial announced on April 3, 2024 that it had signed a two-phase contract worth 4.8 million euros ($5.2 million) to manufacture control arms for mass-production HÜRJET aircraft.

https://www.defenceturkey.com/tr/icerik/hurjet-ispanya-yolcusu-6043
 
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Wouldnt be surprised if Turkey proposed a swap due to their currency issues.
The currency issue is currently not as bad as it was and Turkey is a net exporter that is willing to pay couple of billions for 40 new F-16s and even invest a couple of times more than that for the Kaan in its entire lifecycle. Money's clearly not an issue here.
 
The currency issue is currently not as bad as it was and Turkey is a net exporter that is willing to pay couple of billions for 40 new F-16s and even invest a couple of times more than that for the Kaan in its entire lifecycle. Money's clearly not an issue here.

Making payments in foreign currencies is the issue, the official interest rate is still at 50% while foreign currency reserves have been fluctuating wildly over the last three years.
 
Spain offered the A400M swap to Korea several years ago as well.


Turkish airforce is looking for more cargo aircraft, there were talks held with Britain for C-130J

But A400M may be a better deal depending on Turkish airforce needs, Turkey is also home to regional A400M depot level maintenance center.
1722172227693.png
 
It's two words conjoined, "Hür" means 'Free' and "Jet" is the aircraft type.

The name is chosen because of Turkey's early aviator named Vecihi Hürkuş ("Hur" Means 'Free', "Kus" is 'Bird')

"After the war, he designed and built his first airplane and a few other aircraft inside a converted saw mill which he had rented. He used aircraft engines he had acquired during World War I to power these planes. In 1924 he built a military aircraft from scratch in Izmir, Vecihi K-VI, which made its first flight on 28 January 1925. In 1930 he constructed a speedboat (Vecihi-SK-X) and a civilian aircraft (Vecihi K-XIV) in Kadıköy, Istanbul, followed by a seaplane in 1933."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vecihi_Hürkuş

Like him and other early Turkish aviators, they were hampered by politics in establishing an aviation industry.
Oh, that is an excellent namesake!



Interesting info obtained at Farnborough 2022. Hurjet's maiden flight will take place in December 2022, not 2023. The second prototype will fly on the 18th of March 2023.
View attachment 681655
She's beautiful!

That red-and-white livery is very sharp, I love it!
 
Does this aircraft stand a good chance of being selected by the Spanish Air Force ? In terms of technology and performance, does it compare favorably to other proven trainers such as the M-346 or the T-50 ?
 
Does this aircraft stand a good chance of being selected by the Spanish Air Force ? In terms of technology and performance, does it compare favorably to other proven trainers such as the M-346 or the T-50 ?
Well, it is a brand new aircraft that's been designed to train pilots for the Kaan, so I'd expect it to be seen favoroubly in terms of technology.

And since we're talking about trainers, the combat performance is not accounted in this equation but it's planned to have a scaled down AESA Radar and HMD. It has a longer range but lower payload capacity than the FA-50 and instead of probe-and-drogue, it'll use a boom hatch.

The only risks line in the fact that it's inherently an unproven design since it hasn't entered the TurAF service yet and the cost per airframe might be initially a bit high but AFAICR we know that they've offered the planes for about 20M apiece to Malaysia.

Lastly, M-346 can only reach supersonic speed when it's in a dive.
 
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HÜRJET crossed the Mediterranean and reached Egypt!
Our local and national engineering marvel HÜRJET has successfully arrived in Egypt for the Egypt International Airshow event to be held there. This prestigious air show will provide Turkey with the opportunity to showcase its defense industry power and engineering success in the African region. HÜRJET's participation in this important event once again reveals the global impact of our national engineering and our country's competence in the defense industry.
View: https://x.com/TUSAS_TR/status/1830558478064041992
 
Demo flights at this year's Teknofest (prolly yesterday)

View: https://x.com/SavunmaTR/status/1841467851342839988


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TAI GM:
"We plan to make the first delivery of our HÜRJET to our air forces in 2026."
"We plan to see the second prototype of HÜRJET flying this month"

So, the delivery has been postponed by a year and the second prototype that was being used for ground-based testing is due to fly within the month.
 
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Holy Molly, didn't expect that at all...

As I mentioned in my own news, according to the information I have obtained; Spain wants to procure HÜRJETs from Turkey not as ready-made aircraft but only as incomplete fuselages within the scope of customization according to SASF needs, in order to replace the veteran SF-5M aircraft in the SASF inventory. Since it will only cover the supply of the fuselage, the financial value of the 24 HÜRJET order is expected to be around $800 Million. In this context, the aircraft's avionics suite (I think it will be GFE) will be installed on the aircraft with the participation of two separate local aviation companies in Spain and the aircraft will be delivered to SASF in Spain after these processes are completed. If this business plan is realized, HÜRJET will turn into a European aviation project with the cooperation of TUSAŞ-Spanish Companies and will become a candidate that can be evaluated within the scope of the new generation Jet Evolution (AJT) and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) needs of European countries other than Spain.

Therefore, if this cooperation is implemented, there may be a serious market potential for the HÜRJET, which is already a very successful design and has been ordered for the Turkish Air Force. On the other hand, the HÜRJET is being followed seriously by the Azerbaijani Air Force and Canada, in addition to the Spanish Air and Space Force. The numbers for both potential customers have been determined and it is said that official orders may be placed in the near future.
(Source: Ibrahim Sunnetci/Defence Turkey Magazine)

----------

So it turns out Spain wants to only source the fuselage/the empty shell of the aircaft from TAI and customize the equipment acc. to their and their prospective customers' needs.



Personal commentary: He's a top tier journalist so If this guy's on it, then there's definitely some smoke.


But it's interesting that he also mentions Canada and Azerbaijan.


First of all if Canada's to buy anything from anyone, it would 100% be from the US; and secondy Azerbaijan recently announced their purchase of 12 JF-17B3s from Pakistan. It's interesting that he doubles down on this as a credible journalist.

But I'm not a prominent insider figure so what do I know...

Edit: Here's the full piece:

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/hürj...ci-mhuxf/?trackingId=txtEw/91TuKvCWpwkcUNfw==
 
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Holy Molly, didn't expect that at all...


(Source: Ibrahim Sunnetci/Defence Turkey Magazine)

----------

So it turns out Spain wants to only source the fuselage/the empty shell of the aircaft from TAI and customize the equipment acc. to their and their prospective customers' needs.



Personal commentary: He's a top tier journalist so If this guy's on it, then there's definitely some smoke.


But it's interesting that he also mentions Canada and Azerbaijan.


First of all if Canada's to buy anything from anyone, it would 100% be from the US; and secondy Azerbaijan recently announced their purchase of 12 JF-17B3s from Pakistan. It's interesting that he doubles down on this as a credible journalist.

But I'm not a prominent insider figure so what do I know...

Edit: Here's the full piece:

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/hürjet-ve-sasf-ajt-ihtiyacı-ibrahim-sünnetci-mhuxf/?trackingId=txtEw/91TuKvCWpwkcUNfw==

Makes sense, Spain wanting to turn Hurjet into a new business venture. Installing their own avionics and equipment then marketing it to European pact. Tusas being regulated back to being metal..composite bashers, and the world is back to normal again. :D
Honestly, I hope Tusas rejects this proposal - this is more of a win situation for Spain then it is for Turkey on top of that they want Turkish government to front the costs $800mil for some hand me down A400M.

Anyway, that's if the article is correct - lets see how it plays out.

Hürjet will break the sound barrier for the first time according to local Governor's Office.


View: https://x.com/AnkaraValiligi/status/1848120911226130841

0.9mach was the fastest she went at an altitude of 30000 feet, will she hit her max speed which is reported on their website as being 1.4mach...
 

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