Turkish-made fighter jets could be better than F-35s: Official

Defense Industry President Ismail Demir stated the following in his statements: Our National Combat Aircraft (NCA) is a well-known fifth generation fighter aircraft. There are only four countries in the world that make a fifth generation fighter jet. We are fifth. While there are four countries that are very ambitious and we are the fifth, three countries have made hundreds of planes for years. Korea was engaged in this business, they have reached a certain stage, but when you look at our history, it is a great job to enter such an ambitious project. Of course, the expectations of the public have also increased considerably regarding the developments regarding our aircraft. ''We are careful to give a date for the flight of the aircraft. Because our engineers have designed it, but a separate eye will monitor the airworthiness phase one by one and determine the airworthiness rules and they will monitor it.'' Demir said. ''Our goal is to fly as soon as possible, but we do not give a date of 3-5 months, we are talking about a process that will take a year comfortably.'' he added. ''When we say National Combat Aircraft, our aim is to make a fifth generation aircraft. We are planning a plane equipped with very modern electronic systems, with a very ergonomic cockpit and a full digital cockpit with a large display, and with the defense systems on it with electronic elements, radars and invisibility to radar, which will have all the technologies of the fifth generation planes in the world.'' the senior Turkish official stressed in his comments. ''Let alone the F-16, it will have aspects that approach the F-35, or even better in some respects.'' Demir commented. ''HURJET has reached a certain maturity. As we said, the NCA has come out of the hangar and it has quite a few stages. HURJET has passed certain stages within itself.'' the official said. ''Meanwhile, Kizilelma made its flight. It currently continues its flights in various flight zones and regimes.'' Demir told reporters. ''Similarly, ANKA-3 is actually our pilot or surprise project. It will be a jet-powered drone.'' the head of Turkish Defense Industry said. ''Certain trainings of TCG Anadolu continue within the body of our Naval Forces. It is about to be completed very soon.'' ''As for TB3, it will be counting months, maybe not days, this year. It will finish its tests and enter the inventory this year.'' the official concluded.