Turkish Aerospace (TAI) took the opportunity to unveil its 5th Generation fighter aircraft currently known through its project name, the Turkish Fighter-Experiment (TF-X).
The unveiling of full scale mock up at Paris Air Show was perhaps an attempt by Turkey to send a message to the Trump Administration that despite the country will not be intimidated by the sanction on its LockheedMartin F-35A Lightning II joint strike fighter (JSF) following decision made by President Erdogan to buy Russian S-400 Triumf (NATO Reporting Name: SA-21 Growler) surface to air missile (SAM).
The United States was so concern of the S-400 would jeopardise the F-35 so much it does not only stop taking parts manufactured by Turkish companies but also kicked out Turkish Air Force (TurAF ) pilots being out of the program.
The TF-X was initially meant as replacements to Turkish built F-16s and would become a stable mate as well as capability gap to the proposed 100 plus Lightnings. With the sanction now in full effect, it is likely that the TF-X program would be given utmost priority to replace both the Falcons and the Lightnings.
TF-X looks similar to the LockheedMartin F-22 Raptor with a touch of BAe Systems Tempest 6th Gen fighter. In 2015, BAe Systems joins the program providing designs for the aircraft. British Rolls Royce also join the bandwagon only to withdraw recently following several issues.
Then again the program still progresses with the likelihood if the British design is to be abandoned, Turkey could rely on Russia’s offer to provide new design based on its KNAAPO built Sukhoi Su-57 (NATO Reporting Name : Frazor) 5th Gen fighter as well as engines.
Already the TF-X has attracted numerous interests from its allies namely Pakistan and Malaysia.
In an interview, Pakistani Air Force (PAF) top brass said the service has no problem to work with TAI for the former’s Project Azm 5th Gen fighter program. Should the Turko-Pak alliance materialised, the TF-X would play important role the success of Project Azm which is aimed to counter Indian’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program. Ironically the AMCA was a back up plan following the fall out of Russo-Indo Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) program based on the PAK-FA / Su-57 jet.
TurAF and PAF relationship was forged so strong, it is widely believed that Turkish pilot on exchange program flew on-board the PAC Kamra JF-17 Thunder light Multi Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) during cross border conflict with India over Kashmir. At least one Turkish pilot was seen showing off his “Bison Killer” patch on his shoulder.
Meanwhile in Malaysia, talks on the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) interest of the TF-X came around during Defence Services Asia (DSA) 2018 following the signing of MoU between DEFTECH and TAI. The MoU was said to be a stepping stone towards eventual procurement of TF-X by at least in 10 years time.
A scaled model of the aircraft was shown at TAI booth at the event. While the RMAF had pushed the planned MRCA program to 2029, it is also no secret that the Air Force is eyeing on the TF-X and the Su-57. An offer on possible sell of the Frazor has been extended to the Malaysians during the recent Langkawi International Maritime & Aerospace (LIMA) 2019 show.
The need for 5th Gen jets came from the concern of Malaysia’s regional rivals, the Indonesians and Singapore.
Indonesia is collaborating with South Korea for the joint development of KF-X/IF-X program. At the same time, the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RASF) is planning for initial delivery of four F-35 for evaluation would happen anytime soon.
Malaysia becoming a TF-X customer would mean that it can balanced out its Indonesian and Singapore counterpart on quality rather than quantity.
The TF-X development time frame fits well with the RMAF CAP 55 schedule where two squadrons of common MRCA platform would be procured in the future. Accordingly the Boeing F/A-18D Mod 25X Hornet strike fighter and KNAAPO built Sukhoi Su-30MKM (NATO Reporting Name : Flanker) MRCA would be replaced by 2035 and 2042 respectively.
By that time, the TF-X technology has matured thus allowing the RMAF to fulfill its Capability 2055 (CAP55) strategic plan. The RMAF show no intentions to hide its interest on the TF-X as shown by the Chief of the Air Force and his delegation at Paris Air Show.
(MFH)