Turkiye is carrying out modernisation efforts on a few F-16 aircraft in the line Özgür (Free / Independent) Project. Professor Ismail Demir, the President of the SSB, announced the delivery plans of platforms. The first Özgür upgraded Falcons will be delivered to the end user in 2023.
F-16 Block 30 aircraft is upgrading with domestic components. Critical avionics such as aircraft mission and flight computers are replacing with domestic components. This way, Turkiye will gain specially shaping capability of its Fighting Falcon fleet.
Turkish intention to modernise 79 F-16 aircraft at the level of Block 70 is the agenda. Turkish Air Force is waiting for US approval as most of the equipment will be provided by the USA. On the other hand, Turkiye is carrying out domestic modernisation process research and development activities under the name of the “Özgür (Free / Independent)” Project.
Turkiye is using many indigenous components for Özgür Project. In particular, the MGB (Millî Görev Bilgisayarı / Indigenous Mission Computer), which provides single-source management of the avionics infrastructure, is essential in reducing external dependency in many critical areas as delivering advanced capabilities to the pilot. The programme will provide modernised aircraft somewhere between Block 60 and Block 70 capability, and a colour multifunctional screen has been added to the cockpit centre console.
Domestic IFF Mod 5/S devices will also offer a modern friend-foe identification capability. MİLSEC-3, equivalent to NATO KY58 and KY100, provides encrypted communication. The planned AESA radar integration will also increase the aircraft’s current engagement, detection, tracking and surveillance infrastructure. ASELSAN’s MURAD, which is stated to have better performance than APG-83, will enhance the aircraft’s detecting and targeting capabilities.
