Turkey Signs $23B Deal for Advanced F-16 Jets to Modernize Air Force and Boost NATO Ties

 

Turkey has officially signed an agreement to purchase new F-16 fighters from the United States, a major step in its efforts to modernize its air force. The deal, confirmed on June 13 by Turkey's defense ministry and the U.S. State Department, marks a significant development in the bilateral defense relationship.

In October 2021, Turkey requested to buy 40 F-16 Block 70/72 fighters to replace its aging F-4E Phantoms. This request also included 79 modernization kits to upgrade older F-16s to similar standards. Although the sale faced initial resistance in Washington, Turkey's support for Sweden's NATO membership and its strong stance against Russia have eased opposition. U.S. Ambassador to Ankara, Jeffrey Flake, called the deal "beneficial for U.S. national security, Turkish national security, and NATO interoperability."

State Department Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel highlighted in January that both President Biden and Secretary Blinken have consistently supported the modernization of Turkey’s F-16 fleet, viewing it as a critical investment in NATO interoperability. Currently, Turkey is the largest foreign operator of the F-16, a fighter jet first introduced in 1974. However, Turkey’s F-16 variants are outdated, relying on mechanically scanned array radars with limited electronic warfare and situational awareness capabilities.

Turkey has initiated avionics modernization for 35 of its F-16 Block 30 jets, but NATO’s Turkish fleet still lags behind the more advanced air forces in the region. Countries like the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain have more sophisticated F-16 variants, while Egypt and Syria use enhanced MiG-29s with phased array radars, and Iran is set to deploy advanced Su-35s.

Enhancing Turkey’s aerial capabilities is crucial for NATO’s broader strategic interests, especially as regional challenges to U.S. influence intensify. Turkey’s military actions against Syria and other Iranian-aligned entities, along with support for jihadist affiliates, have complicated the regional military landscape, impacting the efforts of groups like Hezbollah and factions in Syria from focusing on Israel and the United States.

The F-16 Block 70/72 is a ‘4+ generation’ fighter with advanced avionics comparable to those in the latest F-35 stealth fighters. This variant features the APG-83 active electronically scanned array radar, making it a formidable platform for electronic warfare and providing superior situational awareness. The new F-16 variant’s advanced sensors and weapons systems significantly surpass those of older models, which were equipped with less sophisticated technology from the Cold War era and early 2000s.

Initially designed as a cost-effective, lightweight alternative to the F-15, the F-16 continues to play a vital role in U.S. and allied air forces. Turkey’s $23 billion order for the new F-16s will significantly boost the program, particularly as global demand for the aging fighter jet has waned.

Indian Air Force Bolsters Eastern Airbases Amid Rising Tensions with China

 In response to increasing tensions with China, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is upgrading infrastructure at 20 eastern airbases, enhancing capabilities to handle China-centric operations. This includes constructing hardened aircraft shelters, munitions centers, and additional runways to accommodate increased civilian traffic and ensure operational continuity in case of runway damage during conflict.

A notable upgrade is the construction of a second runway at the strategic Leh airbase in Ladakh, a region of frequent India-China military clashes. Leh airbase is essential for maintaining operations along the Line of Actual Control with China and Siachen. The base supports night operations for fighters and transport aircraft, including Rafales, MiG-29s, Sukhoi-30s, and Apaches, and is vital for transporting troops and supplies during harsh winters when road access is limited.

The IAF’s infrastructure development extends to other key bases. Satellite imagery from April 2024 revealed significant enhancements at the Chabua Air Base, near the China border. Upgrades include additional taxiways, hardened shelters for fighter aircraft, underground munitions storage, and improved taxiways for drones, ensuring sustained high-tempo operations if tensions escalate.

In Ladakh, a new 2.7-km runway at Nyoma airbase, located 23 kilometers from the China border, is set for completion in October 2024. The new runway, at an elevation of 13,700 feet, will enhance IAF operations. Support infrastructure, such as hangars, air traffic control buildings, and hard standing areas, will be ready by the end of 2025. Nyoma airstrip, operational during the 1962 India-China war, was reactivated in 2009 and has since supported various military aircraft, including the C-130J Super Hercules.

China has been ramping up its air assets along the LAC since the 2020 Galwan standoff. Recent satellite images show the deployment of China’s Chengdu J-20 Mighty Dragon 5th-generation fighter jets at Shigatse Air Base, only 150 kilometers from the LAC. The base also hosts J-10 aircraft and KJ-500 Airborne early warning and control aircraft, posing a strategic challenge to India's Rafale-equipped Hasimara Air Base in West Bengal.

The Shigatse base, with its new 3,000-meter auxiliary runway and multiple helipads, is strategically located along the central China-India border, close to the Doklam area, site of a 2017 standoff. The oblique angle of the new runway complicates enemy strikes aiming to disable both runways simultaneously.

China’s infrastructure expansion along the LAC since 2020, which includes new airbases, missile sites, roads, bridges, bunkers, and underground facilities, has significantly enhanced its military capabilities. The Hotan airbase in Xinjiang now features a new runway, additional tarmacs, hangars, and upgraded air defenses.

According to the China Power Project at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), China has upgraded dozens of airports and heliports in Tibet and Xinjiang, improving last-mile connectivity and enabling a wider range of military operations. Open-source data identifies 37 newly constructed or upgraded air facilities in these regions since 2017, with at least 22 being military or dual-use. The accelerated development in 2020, including the construction and upgrading of 14 air facilities, fills previous gaps along the Indian border, providing the PLA Air Force (PLAAF) new bases to project airpower against India.

Ukraine Unveils Advanced Decoy Missile ADM-160 MALD to Counter Russian Air Defenses

 As Ukraine awaits the arrival of Dutch F-16 fighter jets, a notable image has surfaced online, showing a Ukrainian MiG-29 equipped with an ADM-160 Miniature Air-Launched Decoy (MALD). This photograph, taken from a low pass by a Ukrainian Air Force MiG-29 of the 114th Tactical Aviation Brigade, marks the first time these US-supplied decoys have been publicly seen on a MiG-29 Fulcrum.

Despite their deployment to Ukraine in 2023, the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) did not officially acknowledge the ADM-160 MALDs until May 2023, when debris from one was found in Luhansk. Observers had speculated on the launch platform, with possibilities including the MiG-29 or Su-27, both previously outfitted with American weapons like the JDAM-ER smart bombs and AGM-88 HARM missiles.

The ADM-160 MALD, an autonomous, programmable flight system, mimics US or allied aircraft to confuse enemy Integrated Air Defense Systems (IADS). While lacking an explosive warhead, its role is significant in offensive operations. Trent Telenko, a former US Department of Defense official, described the MALD as a small cruise missile designed to jam radars and simulate larger aircraft, highlighting its importance to Ukraine’s arsenal.

MALDs deceive enemy air defenses by mimicking aircraft and missile radar signatures, diverting attention and resources from genuine threats. Reports suggest Ukraine uses these decoys in conjunction with long-range Storm Shadow or SCALP-EG missiles, leveraging their ability to reach targets beyond the range of these missiles.

Weighing under 300 pounds, MALDs can be programmed to replicate various aircraft and missile radar signatures, effectively deceiving Russian air defenses. In January, Russian military sources claimed to have destroyed two ADM-160 MALD missiles, highlighting their strategic deployment. The MALD is likely used first to neutralize radars, followed by attacks on land targets with Storm Shadows.

The MALD’s deployment, featuring folded wings and a GPS-enabled inertial navigation system (INS), allows pilots to adjust its course up to the point of launch. Given their cost of up to $300,000 each, Ukraine reserves these decoys for high-value missions, making their appearance rare and significant.

The image of the MiG-29 with a MALD comes amid intensified fighting between Russia and Ukraine. As Russia escalates its offensive, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for direct NATO involvement, emphasizing the need for at least 120-130 planes to counter Russian air dominance. With the expected arrival of F-16s, Zelensky urged NATO to use the planes to target Russian missiles, even if immediate supply to Ukraine is not feasible.

Zelensky also disclosed ongoing discussions with other countries about using their armed forces to attack Russian military assets, though he reaffirmed commitments to avoid using allied weapons inside Russia. Describing the battlefield situation as "one of the most difficult," Zelensky highlighted the intense fighting in Donbas and the control regained in Kharkiv after aggressive Russian operations.

Putin's Warning: F-16s Vulnerable to Russian MiG-31s? Analysis & Threat Assessment

 Russian President Vladimir Putin cautioned that US-supplied F-16 Fighting Falcons to Ukraine could become targets if employed against Russian forces from third-party nations' airfields. Putin's statement follows NATO's announcement granting Ukraine authority to deploy F-16s to engage legitimate Russian military targets beyond its borders.

The F-16s, intended to modernize Ukraine's aging fleet and strengthen its air force capabilities, pose a strategic shift towards Western integration and reduced reliance on outdated Soviet-era aircraft.

However, Russia maintains a formidable aerial advantage, primarily through the deployment of MiG-31 fighter jets armed with the long-range R-37M missile. These missiles have proven effective against Ukrainian aircraft, including instances of downing MiG-29s and deterring foreign surveillance aircraft like the Norwegian P-8A Poseidon.

The MiG-31, a legacy aircraft from the Cold War era, boasts advanced digital avionics and a rear-seated weapon systems officer. Equipped with the Zaslon radar, capable of tracking multiple targets simultaneously, the MiG-31 remains a potent air dominance fighter despite its limited close combat capabilities.

Enhancements in the MiG-31BM variant include network-centric combat control, upgraded radar systems, and extended service life. With a focus on multi-role capability, the MiG-31BM can engage air, surface, and ground targets with improved efficiency.

Additionally, the introduction of hypersonic air-to-air missiles like the R-37M and Kinzhal further bolsters Russia's offensive capabilities, posing a significant challenge to Ukraine's air force.

In response, Ukraine's acquisition of surplus F-16s from NATO allies aims to augment its aerial capabilities. However, the F-16s equipped with AIM-120 air-to-air missiles face challenges against the MiG-31/R-37M combination, necessitating upgrades to narrow the capability gap.

Despite the disparity, F-16s could potentially push back MiG-31s, enabling deeper incursions into Russian airspace and enhancing operational effectiveness over occupied territories.

As tensions escalate, the evolving dynamics between Ukraine's F-16s and Russia's MiG-31s underscore the complex geopolitics and strategic considerations at play in the region's airspace.