U.S. May Sell $3.9B F-16 Modernization Package to Turkey

[beleg]

On 7 October 2004, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Turkey of an F-16 modernization package as well as associated equipment and services. The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $3.888 billion.

The Government of Turkey has requested a possible sale for the modernization of 218 F-16 aircraft. This proposed sale will modify 104 F-16 Block 40, 76 F-16 Block 50 and 38 F-16 Block 30 aircraft. The proposed sale will include the following MDE items for integration and testing:

180 AN/APG-68(V)9 radars;
7 full mission trainers for upgrade/replacement;
200 Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems (JHMCS);
200 AN/AVS-9 Night Vision Goggles (NVG);
4 AGM-84H Joint Standoff Land Attack Missile-Expanded Response (SLAM-ER);
4 AGM-84 HARPOON missiles;
6 AIM-120C Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM);
4 drones (aerial targets);
1 AGM-154B Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW);
1 AGM-154A JSOW;
2 AIM-9X SIDEWINDER missiles;
2 CBU-103 Cluster Bomb Units with Wind Corrected Munitions Dispenser (WCMD);
2 CBU-105 Sensor Fused Weapon with WCMD;
1 AGM-88B High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles (HARM);
2 AN/ASQ-213 HARM Targeting System (export) (HTS(E).

The proposed upgraded capabilities will include integration of the Modular Mission Computer, AN/APG-68(V)9, JHMCS, AN/AVS-9, Link-16, Self-Protection Electronic Warfare Suite (SPEWS II), HTS(E), export versions of weapons available on F-16s, plus five additional foreign weapon systems: Infra-Red Improved SIDEWINDER-TVC (IRIS-T) (Germany) and PENGUIN (Norway), PYTHON-5 (Israel), DERBY (Israel), and SPICE (Israel). Also included are system integration and testing, missile modifications, software development/integration, test sets and support equipment, spare and repair parts, publications and technical data, maintenance, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor representatives, contractor engineering and technical support services, and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $3.888 billion.

http://www.dsca.osd.mil/PressReleases/36-b/2004/Turkey_05-12.pdf

When excersized this program will make Turkish Airforce not only the strongest airforce in the reigon but also one of the best in the world with he addition of DEAD & Stand off capability , Link 16 integration with soon to be delivered AWACS , AIM120Cs,AGM88Bs & HTS and JHMCS , SLAM-ER will add alot to the existing power of Turkish Airforce.

 

[adsH]

the greeks would tremble with fear. this might spark off an Arms race between the two!!

 

[beleg]

I dont think their bosses in EU will let them increase their already high defence budget anymore.. But i guess they will try to go for EF-2000 or Rafaele as soon as possible. Besides they also have a very modern and strong airforce they dont need to fear anything

 

[adsH]

dude its not about being modern. Turkey is a recognized military power!! Greeks are amatures in this. and its doesn't matter how High tech you really are if your don't have the traditions or the training required to become the best then your not the best!!! turkey is getting new BAE systems AWACS and they are going to modernize there fleets of F-16, i think thats a substantial upgrade!!!
the Block 50 are going to receive BAE systems Advance EW system too.

 

[Aussie Digger]

This is indeed a comprehensive upgrade package, but Greece has a pretty comprehensive one too. It's is currently taking possession of it's own, new build Block 52 F-16's, new build Erieye AWACS aircraft and will more than likely sign a new contract for 90 Eurofighter Typhoons (it signed one previously, but canned it to pay for the Athens Olympics)... Greece and Turkey are very well balanced in military terms, it's one of the ways the US tries to prevent wars from occurring, (bar it's own of course)...

 

[beleg]

I think the Eurofighter (or rafaele for greeks) will have to wait sometime for both nations. Turkey will be flying modernised F-16s and F-4s until 2020 and then replace them by JSF and EF-2000(tranche 2/3).

It is true though after this modernisation Turkish airforce will have both qualitative and quantitative advantage over Aegean for a decade at the least.

 

[Arastoo]

adsH why are u supporting Turkey all the time and give them credits? who said Turks and known military power? just because they are in Nato we can not say they are a military power. By the way they wont dare to attack greeks because if they do they are not going to be allowed to join EU.

 

[adsH]

I am really sorry Arastoo i just happen to admire Turkish civilization, i have nothing personal against the greeks!! you must be Greek, i apologize for my stance, but i really do think Turkey is alot stronger when it comes down to Military strength. greeks aren't too bad either they have (as Aussie explained ) a good upgrade package going for them too.

 

[Arastoo]

oh no my dear friend, i am not a greek nor i admire the turkish civilazation. i just wondered why you support turkey too much
note(i have lived in turkey for 3 years)

 

[Aussie Digger]

I don't agree that Turkey has a qualitative edge. A lot of the equipment in this purchase is already in operational service with Greece. I have no leanings either way, but this upgrade will "merely" bring Turkish F-16's in to line, capability wise with F-16's already operated by Greece.

Plus Greece operate Mirage 2000-5's and their Erieye AWACS are to be delivered to them this year, or early next year. They also have 2 already on loan, so that they can develop tactics/procedures. and it will be a rather quick introduction to service once they get their own Erieye's.

A Turkish version of the Wedgetail AWACS WILL be more advanced and capable than the Erieye, but they haven't yet signed the contract for them, and you should never count your chickens (or military acquisitions) before they hatch... Look at the dramas with an acquisition of an advanced attack helicopter... The contract was signed for AH-1Z Cobra's, but then canned because they couldn't afford it...

 

[beleg]

Well wel lalot to respond here.. First of all i better let ou guys know that i am Turkish.. And then jump to answering some questions as i am able to.

First of all Aussiedigger rest assured that most of the weapons planned to be aquired in this upgrade will be the first in Aegean.(HTS ,JHMCS,AIM9X,DERBY,PYTHON5) Greeks have their own upgrade agenda i am sure they will keep up with us in tech and then buy similar systems (they surely will get HTS,JHMCS.AIM120C,IRIS-T they already have contracted) but then the quantity advantage will always be on our side anyway. Like you said earlier balance and fear of mutual destruction is what keeps the peace in Aegean for now. I hope that will change in near future.

Their Eriyes are indeed gonna be earlier in service than ours but as you stated MESA is much more advanced system and Turkish airplanes will have link 16 integration when MESA s enter service. I dont know when Greeks will add this ability to their logistically hard to keep airforce..(Mirages,F-4s,F-16s ,A-7s which will be replaced by Ef2000 or Rafaele in the next decade) MESA contract is Signed and on track . First plane WILL BE delivered in 2007 so check your sources or do some google search to find more info about that..We are just waiting for the Australian planes to be finsihed. I dont know if we will get the 2 optional aircraft in the deal though.

The contract was not signed about AH1z. There was a project mismanagement in first ATAK project from the beginning. It was not the economical reasons that caused the abandon. You can make a search on google about that and find info too. Turkey basicly wanted too much tech transfer and too much local production which made piece of ah1-z almost price of a naked brand new F-16 which was unacceptable. Thus project abandoned .

I didnt open the topic to create an argument on who is stronger or better but this is one of the biggest defense agreements being signed for Turkish airforce since 2003 . Wether you like it or not it will change the balance in the Aegean for almost a decade until new generation fighters of Greece enter service if the deal is executed.

Intgrated with the stuff above Turkish F-16s will be the most advanced in the world except American and maybe Israeli counterparts.

 

[adsH]

we missed out UAE F-16 block 60

 

[beleg]

True. Should have said F-16Cs

 

[adsH]

those F-16 E/f are allot more capable in terms of its technologies, the USAF doesn't have some of the stuff on those UAE block 60 have

 

[neel24neo]

those F-16 E/f are allot more capable in terms of its technologies, the USAF doesn't have some of the stuff on those UAE block 60 have

:eek thats pretty amazing.is it because USAF plans to replace the f-16 soon?

 

[adsH]

F-16 are going to remain in service for the forceable future ! the Block 60 has just brought the F-16 family in line with other modern Fighters like (dare i say ) Rafael i really think the F-16 E/F block 60 has got to be better than rafael since it won against the Rafael and it secured a contract with UAE.

the F-15 are going to be replaced soon with Raptors! teh F-16s are going to rmain in service!

 

[beleg]

USA and Turkey will replace the F-16 fleets with JSF gradually after 2015s. Turkey has a relatively new F-16 fleet so the block 50s will probably fly well beyond 2020s. UAE F16Es will probably last much longer than that.

 

[neel24neo]

F-16 E/F block 60 has got to be better than rafael since it won against the Rafael and it secured a contract with UAE.

the price tag of rafael was perhaps the deciding factor there.

 

[beleg]

Agreed with that. 4th gen fighters are extremely pricy. F-16E which can be considered 3.5 gen is as capable as Rafaele in BVR , can deliver all kind of smart and stand off ammunition and in dogfight it is only slightly worse than 4th gen fighters thanks to new generation dogfight missiles. So i think we will still see alot of 3rd generation fighters continiue flying with relatively cheap upgrades for the coming decade.

 

[adsH]

the price UAE paid was $ 100 mill a piece the rafael is cheaper in running (logistical support was already there)) and per-unit cost!! the F-16 E/F is near to the top end i wouldn't disregards it as an obsolete "3.5" gen fighter its got to be 4th gen its a custom job for a very selective customer that only believes in buying the best and has a "money no object" attitude!!