Turkey Reduces F-16 Procurement Cost to $6-7B from $23B, TAI to Modernize Existing Jets

Turkey has reportedly revised its F-16 Block 70 procurement plan, reducing the total cost from $23 billion to around $6-7 billion.

Initially, the deal, approved by the U.S. in January 2024, involved the purchase of 40 F-16 Block 70 fighter jets, 79 modernization kits, and additional equipment. However, Turkey has decided to substitute the modernization kits with a domestic solution, lowering the overall expenditure.

Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler confirmed the revised plan, emphasizing that Turkey will still proceed with acquiring 40 new F-16 Block 70 Viper aircraft and related munitions. The country has already committed $1.4 billion towards the deal, according to SavunmaSanayiST.com.

“The initial payment has been made within the scope of the F-16 Block 70 procurement. We have invested $1.4 billion. With this, we will purchase 40 F-16 Block 70 Viper aircraft. We were going to procure 79 modernization kits. We have given up on these 79. We gave up for this reason: TAI is currently in a position to do this F-16 modernization on its own. Therefore, we transferred them there. We will buy 40 planes. There are also special munitions. We will buy them. It will cost approximately $6.5-7 billion in total,” the minister said.

The replacement of the modernization kits, which were originally intended to upgrade older F-16 models, comes as Turkey’s Aerospace Industries (TAI) now has the capability to handle F-16 upgrades domestically. Turkey’s aging fleet, which includes over 200 older Block 30/40/50 models, had prompted the original F-16 request. The F-16 Block 70 jets, equipped with advanced technology such as the Northrop Grumman APG-83 AESA radar and new weapon systems, are part of Turkey’s broader air force modernization effort.

In 2019, Turkey was removed from the F-35 program following its purchase of the Russian S-400 missile system, and the current F-16 procurement is intended to fill the gap left by the F-35. Turkey is also advancing its own national combat aircraft, KAAN, which completed its maiden flight in February 2024.

U.S. Reassesses F-35 sale to Turkey after KAAN ‘Success’

The U.S. reassessed its stance on the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey following Ankara's success with its domestically developed KAAN fighter jet, according to Turkish Defence Minister Yaşar Güler.

"When the Americans saw that we could develop and fly the KAAN, they reconsidered their position on the F-35," Güler said during a session with the Turkish Parliament's Planning and Budget Commission on Tuesday. "Now, they are expressing a willingness to provide F-35s, but no progress has been made. We continue to insist on reclaiming our production share and reiterate our request to acquire the F-35s.”

Turkey's pending Eurofighter deal

Meanwhile, Turkey is exploring the purchase of Eurofighter Typhoon jets. Recent reports indicate that Germany has authorized its sales authority to proceed with potential Typhoon sales to Turkey, despite initial objections. Although Turkey had been in talks with the U.K. and Spain to buy 40 h, Germany had raised concerns. However, recent diplomatic efforts from Britain, Italy, and Spain have persuaded Germany to approve the deal. Turkish Defence Minister Yaşar Güler expressed confidence that recent political changes in Germany would not impact the agreement.