Turkey, which is in search of a large fleet of modern fighter jets to replace its ageing old F16’s is zeroing on China-Pakistan JV product JF-17. Turkey’s ageing F-16 fighter jets seem to be hampering its ambitions of becoming a dominant military power in the region. The purchase of Rafale by its arch-rival Greece also has created a state of exigency in Ankara, forcing it to move ahead with its plan to upgrade the fighter fleet.
Turkey’s options
Turkey’s options are limited. The US, who can offer F35, latest blocks of F16’s or even FA-18’s have backed off because of Turkey’s S400 deal with Russia. Despite being a NATO member, Turkey was sanctioned by Washington under the CAATSA. It was also expelled from the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program.
France with its Rafale is far from an option because of the ensuing sour relationship Ankara holds with Paris following the latter’s Rafale deal with Greece. The Eurofighter Typhoon is also out of the list because of the US sanctions on Ankara and the involvement of several pro-US European countries in the deal. So, Turkey is only left with two options, one being Russia and the other being China.
Also Read: If Biden sells F16s to Turkey, it will be a direct offensive against Greece and France
Why Turkey will not go with Russia?
The US has already imposed several sanctions on Turkey. The country’s economy is suffering from severe inflation, joblessness and unemployment. Already in a dire strait, any further sanction will fasten up the collapse of the Turkish economy. That’s the biggest reason why Ankara is not willing to go with Russian options like Su-35 or Su-57.
Also, Turkey’s old acquaintanceship with western fighter jets won’t make it easier for them to adapt and integrate with a different Russian jet. The integration, training, compatibility and logistics would raise the overall acquisition cost of the Turkish Air force.
What’s forcing Turkey towards China – Pakistan option?
China and Pakistan jointly developed and assembled Jet JF-17, which is probably the only option that Ankara will now rely upon. The jet is cheap, affordable and low on maintenance. The overall acquisition cost of the fleet would most probably be affordable for a failing economy like Turkey. Also, the deal with Pakistan and China won’t get affected by the US sanctions.
Pakistan – Turkey relations have also developed in recent times. Pakistan, which acts like a poodle of China, has now found a new godfather in Erdogan. Ankara supports Pakistan monetarily and diplomatically in its every claim and agenda. In return, Pakistan can support Turkey with its JF-17 (More like Junk Fighter).
Read More: 10 countries launch a campaign to unseat Erdogan the same day Turkey got grey-listed by FATF
It is truly a shame for Erdogan that in his leadership, Turkey has declined to such a level that it is forced to buy a “designed in China and assembled in Pakistan” fighter jet. Turkey, which saw the dream of operating advance blocks of F16 along with 5th gen F35, is now going for a China-Pak JF-17.
And yet those Pakistani fighter jets managed to bring down 2 Indian Migs!
That’s true bro. What a shame
Just all based on hate speach not on reality but all tbis written by Indian
Always remember Abinanden shame shame shame #jf17 thunder ⚡
Abhishek.
I think Abhinandan would be in a better position than you to talk about the JF-17 😂
What kind of newspapers allow these people to write for them?
#garbagejourno
This article is totally baseless. I beleive that he has no information about turkish defense industry. He is simply a dumb.
I am not sure how this guy become a Geopolitics analyst. And top of that those people who hire him and allowed to publish his article.
Looks like this article was written by 12 years old without any knowledge and information. How can globalnews allow such articles to be published by a childish minded writer?
I totally agree with you Alex
Is it your journalism standard?
Go to hell bloody endian
Pakistan, which acts like a poodle of China, has now found a new godfather in Erdogan.
This statement says it all. The kind of language used in this article suggests that it is written by some amateur INDIAN writer who could not curb his anti-Pakistan bais and mention Pakistan in derogatory terms.
Pakistan is China’s lapdog. 100 of these junk jets are still no match for one US built F 35 flown by a Greek pilot. Lol
hahahhahahahahahahahaha 🤣 F-35 the one that crashed recently? 🤣
Thomas its true but why usa & his allies run from afganistan lik bitch if you have f35
Thomas why you run from Afghanistan whith yor bleeding asses ?
China has shot down your toy (f.35) before some days.don’t you remember ?
Stupid TFIGlobal with stupid indian authors…
Why JF.17 Thunder i successfully sold to 2/3 countries and india is still bagging to sell it’s samosa (tejas) which was even rejected by indian air force…
Has an indian or us dumbs any answer ?
Author has written article with hate towards Pakistan Turkey relationship. N
Look at the jealously of an Indian writer. What a shame 🤣.
Personal grudge and hatred, & totally biased….
Ha Ha. Junk 17 …nice.. it’ll be a turkey shoot out …easy for the pickings..pluck out them feathers and put them in the oven.. I heard when they assemble the junk 17 they use turkey tape,.I mean duck tape.. lol
People, calm yourself. The writer might have portrayed it just to raise the ratings. Let’s be civilised and try not to offend any country as whole whether it is Chn or Ind or Pak. We all have our own perks. We have our own strength and weakness and above all, we are not the politicians or army to fight with each other. We are normal people who will be killed when something erupts.