DOPPELADLER.COM

Turkish Aerospace General Manager Mehmet Demiroglu says the company’s Hurjet could become the training platform for NATO nations.

Interest in the single-engine, supersonic-capable advanced trainer is growing. The Turkish Air Force ordered 12 aircraft and the platform also has been selected by Spain as a potential replacement for the Northrop SF-5 lead-in fighter trainer.

Demiroglu says he expects the number of domestic orders to grow to as many as 100 aircraft to serve the Turkish Air Force as a T-38 Talon replacement.

In the coming weeks, Turkish Aerospace is expected to sign an agreement with Airbus in Spain to work together on customizing the aircraft for Spanish needs.

“This tells us the product we have is a good product,” Demiroglu told Aviation Week April 22. “Once the Turkish Air Force starts using it, and inshallah [God willing], Spain too, this platform could become the training platform of NATO countries.”

In February the Spanish Air Force described the Hurjet as being “well-positioned” to replace the SF-5 after Spanish air chief Gen. Francisco Braco Carbo took a flight in one of the prototypes.