Turkey-based TAI Unveils Advanced Hürkuş-II Trainer Aircraft for Global Market

Ankara, Turkey– Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) has achieved a significant milestone with the maiden flight of the Hürkuş-II advanced trainer aircraft on December 30, 2024. Developed to replace the Turkish Air Force’s Hürkuş-B trainers, this lighter and more capable version is designed to compete in the global market dominated by Swiss, American, and Brazilian trainers.

The aircraft reached an altitude of 6,500 feet at a speed of 140 knots during its 20-minute maiden flight.The first 15 of 55 aircraft ordered by the Turkish Air Force are scheduled for delivery in 2025, with the remaining 40 by 2027.Equipped with a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-68T turboprop engine, the aircraft features 30-second inverted flight capability, Martin-Baker MK T16N ejection seats, and a composite structure for reduced weight.Advanced systems include a wide-angle HUD (Heads-Up Display), domestically developed cooling and hydraulic systems, and reinforced safety features like bird-strike-resistant canopies and high-shock-absorption landing gear.

The Hürkuş-II positions TAI as a competitor to platforms like Brazil’s A-29 Super Tucano and India’s HAL HTT-40.Interest from African, Central Asian, and Southeast Asian markets is anticipated due to its multi-role capabilities and compatibility with other Turkish defense platforms like the TB-2 and Akinci UAVs. Japan recently selected the U.S.-made T-6 Texan II over the Hürkuş for its Self-Defense Forces, but TAI’s strategy of local assembly and technology transfer could enhance future marketability.

About Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI):TAI, headquartered in Ankara, Turkey, is a leading aerospace manufacturer specializing in military and civilian aircraft, helicopters, UAVs, and satellites. The Hürkuş series highlights its commitment to advancing Turkey’s defense capabilities and expanding its global footprint.

Source: Turkish Aerospace IndustriesPhoto Credit: Turkish Aerospace Industries