As per local Turkish media (e.g. Millyet), Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) aims to deliver the Hürkuş-C close air support (CAS) aircraft to the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) in 2017.
The Hürkuş-C is the weaponized variant of the Hürkuş turboprop-powered training platform, which first flew in August 2013. TAI is positioning the Hürkuş as a replacement for legacy basic jet trainers such as the Cessna T-37 Tweet. The Hürkuş’ civilian version, Hürkuş-A, also achieved European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification in July 2016.
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Turkish Defence Minister Fikri Işık and the Undersecretary of Defence Industries (SSM) Ismail Demir visited TAI to oversee the manufacturing of a Hürkuş-C prototype.
With a payload of 1,500 kg across seven external hardpoints, the Hürkuş-C will be armed with Roketsan’s UMTAS anti-tank guided missile and Cirit 70 mm laser-guided rocket system. The Hürkuş-C will also be equipped with a tactical data-link system, electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) system, self-protection system, and an armour reinforced airframe.
On the grounds of lower operating costs in comparison to the F-16, the TSK will reportedly deploy the Hürkuş-C as part of its counterinsurgency (COIN) efforts. TAI may also market the Hürkuş-C to prospective overseas customers, placing it in direct competition with Embraer and its EMB-314 Super Tucano.
