Turkey is considering raising the number of new generation F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, or JSF, Lightning II aircraft it plans to buy from 100 to 120, paying at least $2 billion more than earlier planned.

The F-35 is being developed and built by a consortium led by the U.S. firm Lockheed Martin. The consortium's members also include companies from several European allies, including Turkey. "We may buy 120 JSF aircraft instead of 100," Murad Bayar, head of the Undersecretariat for Defense Industries, told the Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review.

Turkey's potential decision to buy 120 F-35s would bring the cost of Ankara's program from to at least $13 billion from $11 billion. The countrys eventual decision on the number of fighters to be acquired will depend on the amount of financing available in the upcoming years, another procurement official familiar with the fighter program said.

In 2007, Turkey announced its intention to buy 100 F-35s. Last year, Parliament approved a law under which Turkish industry would take part in the production of the F-35 under Lockheed Martin's leadership. Turkey must formally commit to buying a specific number of F-35s next year.

No Eurofighters soon

Turkey's potential decision to raise the number of F-35s to 120 means that it will not buy the rival Eurofighter Typhoon in the near future. "We may consider buying some Eurofighters after 2020," Bayar said. "We don't rule out that option after that year." The Typhoon is being manufactured by the Eurofighter consortium whose members are Britain, Italy, Germany and Spain. The consortium has been seeking to sell at least one squadron of 20 Typhoons to the Turkish Air Force since 2005. Tusas Aerospace Industries, or TAI, and several other Turkish companies have secured contracts to produce F-35 parts worth more than $4 billion, procurement officials say.

Other programs

Presently Lockheed Martin is also helping upgrade nearly 210 Turkish F-16 Block 30 and Block 40 fighters. Bayar said the modernization process, worth around $1.1 billion, will be completed by 2011. Under a $1.8 billion agreement signed last year, Lockheed Martin will also sell 30 F-16 Block 50s to Turkey. Bayar said deliveries would begin in late 2011 or early 2012.

Turkey is expected to receive the first F-35 around 2015. The 30 F-16 Block 50s are being purchased as a stop-gap solution until the F-35s arrive. Planning to buy between 100 and 120 F-35s and 30 new F-16 Block 50s while upgrading its present F-16s and modernizing its older F-4Es, Turkey will have one of the most modern air forces in Europe in a few years.

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=turkey-may-buy-20-more-f-35-fighters-2009-10-07

---

More good news for the F-35

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Have a nice day.

Thunder Supports Rafale
http://rafale.freeforums.org
http://rafale.freeforums.org/rafale-vs-f-16-aerodynamics-compared-t69.html

Well, apparently the Turks don't think they are that bad...

Besides, the flyaway of the F-35A is below $130 Mil today and will continue to drop...

"Turkey's potential decision to raise the number of F-35s to 120 means that it will not buy the rival Eurofighter Typhoon in the near future."

"We may consider buying some Eurofighters after 2020"


but Not any Crap Fafale !!! Thanks God!!!

Enjoy!!!

"SpudmanWP)
Well, apparently the Turks don't think they are that bad..."

They DONT have an aerospace industry woth mentioning, they can think what they want they have nothnig to compare to it.


"SpudmanWP)
Besides, the flyaway of the F-35A is below $130 Mil today and will continue to drop..."

In your wet dreams, i'd spend less time getting off with L-M Sci-f-ish videos and more looking at proper informations on both the programe and the partner's economies ifi were you...

WASHINGTON, Sept. 16, 2009
Without question, the F-35 program represents an ambitious effort, Gates said. [It involves] more than 3,000 aircraft, counting all military services and foreign partners, 22 million lines of code [and] over $46 billion for development, plus an estimated $300 billion total in acquisition costs -- a truly massive investment in the future of U.S. air power.

The F-35 program has seen its share of rising costs, delays and other development issues, and likely will face more challenges, Gates acknowledged. The manufacturers recently assured the secretary that problems are being aggressively addressed, he added.
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=55867

Thunder Supports Rafale
http://rafale.freeforums.org
http://rafale.freeforums.org/rafale-vs-f-16-aerodynamics-compared-t69.html

"They DONT have an aerospace industry woth mentioning "

You sure? Moron

SHOW us a single M 2.0 fighter designed in Turkey please, you can't even do as well as Korea or Taiwan, design a proper jet powered trainer and even have to buy your attack helicopters to Italy.

MORON.

Thunder Supports Rafale
http://rafale.freeforums.org
http://rafale.freeforums.org/rafale-vs-f-16-aerodynamics-compared-t69.html

The meaning of Having an aerospace industry is to able to develop a 2M aircraft in accordance with your paranoid percpective ?

Moron

I mean that a troll like you have NO answer to REALITY.

The top aerospace industry DONT do metal bashing for the US as a main source of revenue, Turkey does.

No need for paranoia.

Turkey is a third ranked partner to L-M for some good reasons, now go and try to pretend you're worth more than this, you ain't fooling anyone but yourself.

And BTW; good luck with your "20 more F-35" if you can acquier 60% of the originaly planned, you'll be lucky.

Thunder Supports Rafale
http://rafale.freeforums.org
http://rafale.freeforums.org/rafale-vs-f-16-aerodynamics-compared-t69.html

"to possibly buy"

they sure do lol

this here is the official jsf site you will get a lot of good news from it
http://www.jsf.mil/news/

If I list current ongoing programs of only Turkish aerospace industry (TAI) to prove What type a idiot you are, Will you accept that You are the foolest member of WAFF ?

As i said appart for the L-M lying commercials coming up with 2000 cost figures, YOU are the WAFF most notorious cretin, with NO answer to reality.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxxBxvOGXm0

How L-M is screwing their programe partners:

NOW: Go invent yourself capabilties and numbers Turkey will never have.

Thunder Supports Rafale
http://rafale.freeforums.org
http://rafale.freeforums.org/rafale-vs-f-16-aerodynamics-compared-t69.html

http://www.defenselink.mil/transcripts/transcript.aspx?transcriptid=3547

Flag: United Kingdom United Kingdom (signed 17 Jan 2001 for $2B)
Flag: Italy Italy (signed 24 Jun 2002 for $1B)
Flag: Netherlands Netherlands (signed 17 Jun 2002 for $800M)
Flag: Turkey Turkey (signed 11 Jun 2002 for $175M)
Flag: Canada Canada (signed 7 Feb 2002 for $150M)
Flag: Australia Australia* (signed 31 Oct 2002 for $150M)
Flag: Denmark Denmark (signed 28 May 2002 for $125M)
Flag: Norway Norway* (signed 20 Jun 2002 for $125M)

You are the real f@cking idiot of WAFF... If you claim something about, You should prove it with your source, evidences... I am waiting for your evidence to prove that ""They DONT have an aerospace industry worth mentioning"" If you can not prove it, That will be the evidence of your idiocity in WAFF imbecile...

"SpudmanWP)
Well, apparently the Turks don't think they are that bad..."

They DONT have an aerospace industry woth mentioning, they can think what they want they have nothnig to compare to it.
---
How's that even a valid argument? Turkey has the possibility to buy the Rafale, EF and F-35. They chose the F-35. If Turkey had "an aerospace industry worth mentioning", as you define it, they would go for their own indigenous design just like France has no choice but go for the Rafale even though the FAF would prefer a stealthy fighter (who wouldn't?).



When I was young I used to pray for a bike, then I realized that God doesn't work that way, so I stole a bike and prayed for forgiveness.

Flag: United Kingdom United Kingdom (signed 17 Jan 2001 for $2B)
Flag: Italy Italy (signed 24 Jun 2002 for $1B)
Flag: Netherlands Netherlands (signed 17 Jun 2002 for $800M)
Flag: Turkey Turkey (signed 11 Jun 2002 for $175M)
Flag: Canada Canada (signed 7 Feb 2002 for $150M)
Flag: Australia Australia* (signed 31 Oct 2002 for $150M)
Flag: Denmark Denmark (signed 28 May 2002 for $125M)
Flag: Norway Norway* (signed 20 Jun 2002 for $125M)

That's the development contributions, the UKs is slightly higher now btw as they have procured some test aircraft.

How's that even a valid argument? Turkey has the possibility to buy the Rafale, EF and F-35. They chose the F-35. If Turkey had "an aerospace industry worth mentioning", as you define it, they would go for their own indigenous design just like France has no choice but go for the Rafale even though the FAF would prefer a stealthy fighter (who wouldn't?).

It depends what these aircraft will be replacing. As he said, Typhoons will be considered post 2020, which suggests that the Typhoon will be more suitable as a replacement for the aircraft being replaced post 2020. I'd more interested to know what they intend to replace using F35. As for the supposed superiority of the F35 over Typhoon, bear in mind that the RAF given a choice of either does not intend to use F35 as the national air defence fighter when it comes into service.


"He lives in a world where concept is reality..."

I once lived in France,
but left for Angleterre,
I dream up flying in planes,
and invent some sources too,
but when it comes to proving it,
it's Tampax down the drain!

"How's that even a valid argument?"

Perfectly valid considering they don't have the expertise nor the technologies to compare.


"Turkey has the possibility to buy the Rafale, EF and F-35. They chose the F-35."

So did all those who were CONNED by L-M into thinking that F-35 was better and cheaper, the Dutch competition results proves this point remarkably.

AGAIN Had realistic figures been given to the potential "Partners" the Ductch competition would have been won by Rafale and NOT F-35.

Dutch fighters competition results: F-35 : 697/800 Rafale : 695/800 Eurofighter : 585/800.

Now unless the Dutch have an unlimited procurement budget and doesn't take the cost into acount, Rafale WINS.


"they would go for their own indigenous design just like France has no choice but go for the Rafale even though the FAF would prefer a stealthy fighter (who wouldn't?)."

My point precisely and definitely NO France had several choices, Eurofighter or F-18.

AND the "FAF" as you call them wouldn't swap what they have for F-35 and a "stealthy" fighter was NEVER an AdA requierement, only F-22 is regarded as remotly superior to Rafale by our experts, so keep deluding yourself into thinking that F-35 is not a commercial con, it won't make it more performant or cheaper.

You're living in a world of fantasy where your fancies takes over reality; that is: Politico-industrial history. Finances. Requierements. Costs.

All of which are inexistant or unimportant for you bozzos.

Thunder Supports Rafale
http://rafale.freeforums.org
http://rafale.freeforums.org/rafale-vs-f-16-aerodynamics-compared-t69.html

My point precisely and definitely NO France had several choices, Eurofighter or F-18.
---
Once the Rafale project was started, France was sure to buy it no matter how good or bad it would be.




AND the "FAF" as you call them wouldn't swap what they have for F-35 and a "stealthy" fighter was NEVER an AdA requierement, only F-22 is regarded as remotly superior to Rafale by our experts, so keep deluding yourself into thinking that F-35 is not a commercial con, it won't make it more performant or cheaper.
---
If the AdA could choose between a Rafale and a Rafale that's stealthy for the same or about the same price, the latter would be chosen.

The problem I have with the EF and Rafale is that they are not game changers, they just do a little better than the previous generation of aircraft for twice the price.



When I was young I used to pray for a bike, then I realized that God doesn't work that way, so I stole a bike and prayed for forgiveness.

Once the Rafale project was started, France was sure to buy it no matter how good or bad it would be.

Can apply that to F35 and F22 as with the US


"He lives in a world where concept is reality..."

I once lived in France,
but left for Angleterre,
I dream up flying in planes,
and invent some sources too,
but when it comes to proving it,
it's Tampax down the drain!

"Once the Rafale project was started, France was sure to buy it no matter how good or bad it would be".

Too bad it is better than F-35.


"If the AdA could choose between a Rafale and a Rafale that's stealthy for the same or about the same price, the latter would be chosen".

LOL! IU think you should spend less time flaming and more learning.

France had the choice but as i was saying you still can't figure reality from your fantasies, only our DGA are not as incompetent about military matters as the F-35 fanboyz and got their finances right.



"The problem I have with the EF and Rafale is that they are not game changers, they just do a little better than the previous generation of aircraft for twice the price".

The problem for YOU is still reality vs fantasies.

So go back to your L-M sci-fi videos, you aren't making any effect on US and trying to inform you is a total waste of time.

Typhoon and Rafale are FAR better performing aircraft than F-35 and Rafale does it all, A2A better and A2G as well.

France doesn't NEED to be conned and sell out her aerospacial industry to incompetent US designers and overspoken Marketing directors who still can't figure their 2000 cost datas aren't valid in 2009.

Thunder Supports Rafale
http://rafale.freeforums.org
http://rafale.freeforums.org/rafale-vs-f-16-aerodynamics-compared-t69.html

Can apply that to F35 and F22 as with the US
---
My point exactly.



When I was young I used to pray for a bike, then I realized that God doesn't work that way, so I stole a bike and prayed for forgiveness.

aww, 250+ new/upgraded F-16 and 120 F-35, TAF will be deadly.
I think F-35 will take AG missions , replace F-4 while F-16 assume air superiority missions, after 2020s Eurofighters will start to replace oldest F-16s. Think we will still need some number of aircrafts with higher payloads for deep strike missions.


For Turks, the homeland isn't Turkey, nor yet Turkistan. Their country is a vast, eternal land: Turan!
-Ziya Gokalp-

"Nighthawk00)
My point exactly".

A FALSE point.

The US wouldn't buy a foreign fighter and as a matter of FACT France had the choice but chosed Rafale which turned out to be the best option as for cost, performances and capabilties even over F-35.

As for the F-35 "partners" it is now well obvious that they were conned into thinking they were buying more for less money, 2009 reality is, they buy less for more money.

Dutch fighters competition results: F-35 : 697/800 Rafale : 695/800 Eurofighter : 585/800.

Thunder Supports Rafale
http://rafale.freeforums.org
http://rafale.freeforums.org/rafale-vs-f-16-aerodynamics-compared-t69.html

Its still better to have bought F35B to supply the Navy and RAF with what they needed and as a bonus got a very nice slice in percentage terms of the programme and the "source", compared to buying French and getting Rafale off the shelf.


"He lives in a world where concept is reality..."

I once lived in France,
but left for Angleterre,
I dream up flying in planes,
and invent some sources too,
but when it comes to proving it,
it's Tampax down the drain!

Turkey has an Aerospace industry no where near yours and as a meter of fact you do not have to be able to build a M 2 Fighter what kinda argument is this , Brazil has no Aerospace industry coz they have yet to build a m 2 fighter or what . The point is you guy's are far ahead no doubt but we have been working hard and this hard work has and will continue to pay off. There is no plan on ever building a m 2 fighter but there are some interesting projects TAI works on right now check em out if u wanna know more tai.com.tr .

if there is one that beleives that turey can affort a 30 billion dollars worth of arm purchased planes with a time frame of 8-10 years, he needs mental services aid..

My numbers for 2010 F-35A were a little off by about 4%. The actual number is $135.89 million REC flyaway cost for 2010 USAF F-35A fighters. Unfortunately, the USAF did not make this easy to figure out.

Here were the steps (Both Docs prepared in May 2009):

1. Download the USN FISCAL YEAR (FY) 2010 BUDGET ESTIMATES at
http://www.finance.hq.navy.mil/FMB/10pres/APN_BA_01-04_Justification_Book.pdf

2. On page 33 it states (per F-35B&C)...
... A. Total Weapon System Procurement Cost is $4,478,048,000
... B. USN F-35 REC flyaway is $155,420,000
... C. USN REC Flyaway as a percentage of Wpn System Cost 69.41% (A/20/B)

3. Download the USAF 2010 Exhibit R-2, RDT&E Budget Item Justification at
http://www.dtic.mil/descriptivesum/Y2010/AirForce/0604800F.pdf

4. On page 3 it confirms the USN Total Weapon System Procurement Cost (2.A above)

5. The USAF Total Weapon System Procurement Cost is $2,349,430,000

6. Using the same 69.41% from 2.C and dividing the cost from 5 (above) by 12 airframes, the cost comes to $135.89 REC Flyaway.