Monthly Defense News Recap – December 2022 Plus

Turkish Aerospace continues showcasing the progress it is making on its key aircraft projects. The Pakistan Navy confirms its supersonic anti-ship missile capability as well as speaks to its ongoing development programs.

Turkish Aerospace Makes Progress on Hürjet Trainer Prototype

On 23 December, Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) rolled out the (partially completed) prototype of its Hürjet lead-in-fighter trainer (LIFT).

According to Dr. Rafet Bozdoğan, the Chairman of TAI/TUSAŞ, the Hürjet’s aerostructure work is mostly complete. Moreover, the second Hürjet prototype is also under production.

TAI is aiming to conduct the maiden test flight of the Hürjet on 18 March 2023. To reach that milestone, TAI will start carrying out the Hürjet’s engine integration and ground test work in the coming months.

The Hürjet is one of TAI/TUSAŞ’ key homegrown aerospace programs, alongside the MMU/TFX next-generation fighter aircraft, the Hürkuş turboprop-powered trainer, T625 utility helicopter, and T929 heavy attack helicopter. TAI is developing the Hürjet for both domestic and export purposes.

Domestically, the Hürjet will play the critical role of replacing the Turkish Air Force’s legacy T-38 Talon advanced jet trainers (AJT) and F-5 Tiger II lightweight fighters. In this respect, the Hürjet will serve as both a LIFT/AJT and a light combat multirole aircraft.

A Naval Hürjet?

In addition, TAI is believed to be carrying out studies of using the Hürjet design as a potential manned fighter aircraft for carrier-based naval operations. It is unclear (if not unlikely) the Hürjet in its current form would suffice for the carrier role. India had developed a functional naval variant of its Tejas (also being a lightweight fighter), but the Indian Navy opted not to use it due to substantial trade-offs being made to the payload, range, and weight of the aircraft.