Turkey tests its first military tactical jet

He posted the video on his Twitter account.

"Hürjett. Our first domestic manned supersonic jet aircraft has successfully made its maiden flight," Erdogan wrote.

The president of Turkey called the flight a step forward towards the realization of the "Turkish Century" concept.

As noted, the first flight tests were successful - the Hürjet spent 26 minutes in the air, reached an altitude of more than 4,200 meters and a speed of 463 km/h.

The Hürjet is the first jet trainer and light combat aircraft to be fully developed in Turkey. The fighter, according to the manufacturers, will outperform the US F-35. This project is being implemented to replace the F-16 aircraft in service with the Turkish Air Force.

The development of the aircraft was initiated directly by TAI - the project started in August 2017, and in 2018, the model was demonstrated for the first time. The official agreement with the Air Force was signed in July 2018.

TAI Hürjet tactical and technical characteristics:

• crew - 2 persons;
• power plant - one F404-GE-102 engine;
• maximum speed - Mach 1.4;
• range - 2,222 km;
• practical ceiling - 13,716 m;
• length - 13 m;
• wingspan - 9.8 m;
• height - 4.2 m.

The Hürjet is expected to enter service with the Turkish Air Force by 2025, after all the testing and development work. At the first stage, 16 aircraft are to be produced.

• On March 31, Bayraktar Kizilelma equipped with a Ukrainian engine successfully passed new tests.

• April 10, Turkey launched the world's first universal amphibious assault ship, the TCG Anadolu (L-400), which is designed to deploy combat drones.

• On April 22, Turkey first tested its own Gokbey helicopter equipped with its own TS1400 engine.