Türkiye - F-16 Block 50 Peace Onyx IV (PO-IV)
The advanced block 50 aircraft had advantages of extended range with additional internal fuel tanks and enhanced precision strike capability over the existing ones in the TurAF inventory. As a result of PO-III Modernization Project, the F-16’s in the inventory will, except for the fuel tank, have a configuration similar to the aircraft to be procured. As per the Defence Industry Executive Committee Decision dated 1 July 2009, the contract was signed with TAI on 31 August 2009. Delivery of modernized Aircraft will commence in late 2011 and was scheduled to be completed by July 2014. The local content ratio was expected to be at least 90 %.
The serial assembly of modernization kits, which were supplied as part of the F-16 Modernization Project in accordance with Turkish Armed Forces requirements, to F-16 block 40 and block 50 model planes in Turkish Air Force inventory. Scope: The serial assembly of modernization kits (on which prototype and testing applications will be carried out) to the 165 planes in TuAF inventory under TUSAS Prime Contractorship and by utilizing the capabilities of the 1st Air Supply and Maintenance Center Command.
On 28 September 2006 the Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Turkey of advanced F-16 Block 50 aircraft as well as associated equipment and services. Also included are system integration and testing, software development/integration, test sets and support equipment, simulation units, link pods, spare and repair parts, publications and technical data, maintenance, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor representatives’ program support services, contractor engineering and technical support services, and other related elements of logistics support. The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $2.9 billion.
On 12 December 2006, the Defence Industry Executive Committee decided on the procurement of 30 F-16 Advanced Block 50 aircraft from the U.S. Government through Foreign Military Sales (FMS) under the Peace Onyx IV (PO-IV) Program. After lengthy negotiations between SSM, US DoD and the main contractor Lockheed Martin, the LOA was signed on 30 April 2007. After nearly two years of negotiations, the United States and Turkey signed an FMS contract in 2009 for 30 F-16 Block 50 aircraft to be co-produced by TAI. According to the contract, the final assembly and delivery of the 30 F-16 aircraft was realized in TAI facilities in Ankara while the engines was manufactured by TEI in Eskisehir. The first aircraft was accepted in May 2011 and the deliveries were scheduled to be completed by the end of 2012.
On May 11th, 2007 the governments of Turkey and the United States signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) for the sale of 30 additional Lockheed Martin Advanced F-16 Block 50 aircraft to Turkey. The new aircraft will supplement the Turkish Air Force's (TUAF) existing fleet of F-16s and contribute to the upgrade and modernization of the TUAF. The new aircraft include the same advanced systems being installed on Turkey's existing F-16 fleet as part of an on-going upgrade program. At the conclusion of these two programs all Turkish F-16s will be in a common, state-of-the-art configuration.
The total LOA value for the 30 aircraft and equipment was approximately $1.8 billion (U.S.). Lockheed Martin and its supplier base will receive approximately $1.1 billion of this amount. Final assembly and delivery of the aircraft will be performed at TUSAS Aerospace Industries (TAI) in Turkey, furthering the longstanding business relationship between Lockheed Martin and TAI.
On 13 December 2012 Turkish Aerospace Industries, Inc. (TAI) and Lockheed Martin unveiled the last Turkish-built F-16 at a ceremony held at TAI's facilities in Ankara.. The ceremony was attended by Deputy Undersecretary of Turkish Defense Industries Mr. Serdar Demirel and high level executives from the Undersecretriat for Defence Industries (SSM), Turkish Air Force (TurAF), Lockheed Martin and TAI. The program, which started with the speech of TAI's Executive Vice President of Aircraft Mr. Özcan Ertem, continued with Lockheed Martin's Vice President and General Manager of F-16 / F-22 Integrated Fighter Group Mr. Jeff Babione and SSM's Deputy Undersecretary for Platform Projects Mr. Serdar Demirel's speeches. During the ceremony, TAI's Chairman of the Board, Yalçin Kaya presented plaques to the representatives of the parties who have contributed to the program.
The F-16 program provided extensive industrial development and employment in Turkey over the past 25 years. The Turkish Air Force was to receive 30 new, advanced Block 50 models between May 2011 and December 2012. The F-16 was the choice of 25 nations. More than 4,400 aircraft have been delivered worldwide from assembly lines in five countries. The F-16 program has been characterized by unprecedented international cooperation among governments, air forces and aerospace industries. Major upgrades to all F-16 versions are being incorporated to keep the fleet modern and fully supportable over the aircraft's long service life.
On 13 December 2012 Turkish Aerospace Industries, Inc. (TAI) and Lockheed Martin unveiled the last Turkish-built F-16 at a ceremony held at TAI's facilities in Ankara. The ceremony was attended by Deputy Undersecretary of Turkish Defense Industries Mr. Serdar Demirel and high level executives from the Undersecretriat for Defence Industries (SSM), Turkish Air Force (TurAF), Lockheed Martin and TAI.
On 14 December 2020 the US imposed sanctions on Ankara over Turkey's purchase of the Russian S-400 air defense system. The US sanctions targeted Turkey's Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB), its military procurement agency, its chief Ismail Demir and three other senior Turkish officials. Erdogan, in response, denounced the sanctions as a "hostile attack" on the sovereign rights of his country. "What kind of alliance is this? What kind of partnership is this? This decision is an open hostile attack against our country's sovereign rights," the Turkish president said in a televised speech.
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