TAI Completes Turkish F-16 Deliveries

Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) has delivered its last Lockheed Martin F-16s, completing a manufacturing activity that started with Ankara's Peace Onyx 1 programme in 1987.

TAI built a total of 308 F-16s for the Turkish and Egyptian air forces, with the former having received 270 aircraft. The company's final deliveries were from a 30-aircraft order for Block 50+ fighters and trainers for the former service.

Aircraft division manager Ozcan Ertem says that while TAI's 25-year manufacturing activity has come to an end, it will continue to support the modernisation of in-service F-16s. The company has updated aircraft for the Turkish air force, and for fellow operators Jordan and Pakistan.