US Approves First Modernization Package (Link-16 TDL) For Turkish F-16s

After going through lengthy negotiations, even having been proclaimed a deadlock, the United States finally gave its first approval for the Turkish Air Force's F-16 fighter jet modernization program. To be precise, the US Department of State has approved the sale of some of the modernization equipment that has been requested by Turkey.

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The first agreement referred to is for the sale of the Link-16 Tactical Data Link (TDL) system modernization kit, also known as the “multiple information distribution system” to Turkey to modernize the communications capabilities of existing F-16 fighter jets.

"The Department of State has decided to approve the sale of defense equipment and services and related equipment to Turkey for the modernization of its F-16 aircraft fleet for an estimated value of US$259 million," the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DCSA) said in a statement.

To complete the sale, DCSA must pass formal congressional approval. If approved by Congress, it would be the United States' first major arms sale to Turkey since the crisis in bilateral relations, after Turkey acquired the S-400 missile system from Russia.

Various facilities began to be obtained by Ankara, especially after Turkey gave approval for Finland's membership as the 31st NATO member.

US President Joe Biden had previously sent a letter to Congress in April 2022, explaining that the sale of a US$20 billion package to Turkey was in line with NATO and US national interests. The US$20 billion package for Turkey includes the procurement of 40 new F-16 Viper fighter jets and 79 upgrade kits to upgrade its aging F-16 fleet.

The Turkish Air Force has big plans to modernize its F-16 fleet in Project Ozgur. Namely the modernization of 79 F-16 units to be upgraded to Block 70, otherwise known as the F-16 Viper.

If there is a blessing from the US, the process of upgrading the entire Turkish F-16 fleet is planned to take seven years. What is special, in this upgrade, Turkey will integrate solutions in the form of domestic systems and components (domestic production) into its F-16 assets.

The F-16 Block 30 upgrade stage to the F-16 Block 70 standard will integrate an important component, which is only found in Turkish F-16s. The component in question is the MGB (Millî Görev Bilgisayarı / Indigenous Mission Computer), namely a mission computer. This new domestically produced mission computer will expand the pilot's capabilities.

The MGB is part of Ankara's plans to make the Turkish armed forces more independent from foreign manufacturers and suppliers. Along with the mission computers, Turkish F-16s will receive a new console in the form of a multi-functional color screen.

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Turkey will not only upgrade the mission computers, but will also use the domestically produced IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) system. Turkey claims its domestically made IFF system has capabilities equivalent to NATO standard KY58 and KY100 IFF systems, including providing encrypted communication access and datalinks.

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