Pakistan and Turkey are collaborating on the production of fifth-generation fighter jets. Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) CEO Temel Kotil confirmed the news while talking to a private media channel. The interview included other officials, one of whom was Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Air Vice Marshal Rizwan Riaz.
To clarify, Turkey increased efforts to build a stealth fighter ever since ties with the US deteriorated because Turkey announced the purchase of the Russian S-400 missile system in 2020. The move resulted in the US expelling Turkey from the US F-35 stealth fighter project. As a result, Turkey vamped up efforts on its indigenous stealth fighter program, referred to as TF-X which initially began in 2011.
According to details, Pakistan and Turkey will split the development of the jet. Turkey will lead the program. It will employ Pakistani engineers from the National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST), the country’s premier research institution.
Read more: Turkey ignores US’s requests, moves to buy more S-400s from Russia
TAI CEO said the TF-X is now a “Turkish-Pakistani fighter program”. He also said TAI will move some of its operations to Pakistan by the end of the year.
First official confirmation of the collaboration between Turkiye and Pakistan on TAI's 5th generation fighter jet project, the TF-X. https://t.co/UoM8hU5QeQ
— Yusuf Erim (@YusufErim34) February 22, 2022
According to reports, Turkish Aerospace plans to fly the first prototype of the TF-X by 2025-26 and intends to export the fighter from the 2030s. Furthermore, the collaboration with Pakistan will help lower project costs, increase feasibility, increase the capabilities of the fighter, and shorten timelines.
Not the first time
Important to note, this is not the first time TAI collaborated with Pakistan. Last month, TAI, which is Turkey’s technology center for aviation and space industry systems revealed that Pakistan and Turkey are collaborating on a joint satellite program.
According to a tweet, TAI stated that it will cooperate with Pakistan Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) to develop satellite projects.
“We cooperated with Pakistan Space and Upper Research Commission (SUPARCO) to develop satellite projects,” the tweet read.
“Within the scope of the agreement, we will carry out joint studies on electric communication satellites and other space projects. We wish good luck for both countries,” the tweet further added.
Pakistan Uzay ve Üst Araştırma Komisyonu (SUPARCO) ile uydu projeleri geliştirmek için iş birliğine imza attık.💪🏻
Anlaşma kapsamında elektrikli haberleşme uyduları ve diğer uzay projelerine yönelik ortak çalışmalar gerçekleştireceğiz. İki ülke için hayırlı olmasını dileriz.🇹🇷🇵🇰 pic.twitter.com/SClqB3oToA
— Türk Havacılık Uzay Sanayii (@TUSAS_TR) January 26, 2022
Last year, TAI also signed a contract with Pakistan’s National Engineering and Science Commission (NESCOM) for the joint production of “ANKA Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.”
Moreover, TAI also developed the T129 ATAK helicopters. Pakistan in 2018 agreed to buy 30 T129 ATAK choppers built by TAI.
Read more: Pakistan Turkey to jointly produce military drones