Few months after the evaluation in Spain, the Turkish Hurjet trainer has been selected to replace the Spanish Air Force’s aging fleet of SF-5M jet trainers.
During an official ceremony on Dec. 20, 2024, Spain and Turkey have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to procure the Turkish Aerospace Industries’ (TAI) Hurjet. The aircraft, of which 24 airframes will reportedly be acquired, will replace the Spanish Air Force’s aging fleet of 19 SF-5M jet trainers.
The news comes after Spain evaluated the Hurjet prototype between July and August 2024 at Torrejon air base, near Madrid. Turkish media reported that a Spanish delegation was initially expected to inspect and evaluate the aircraft in Turkey, however the jet was instead sent directly to Spain.
La #SEDEF @AmparoValcarce1 firma con la embajadora de Turquía en España, en nombre de la Secretaría de Industrias de Defensa turca, un memorando para desarrollar un sistema de entrenamiento avanzado para pilotos de caza del @EjercitoAire con participación industrial de 🇪🇸 y 🇹🇷. pic.twitter.com/hWlkEANHWq
— Ministerio Defensa (@Defensagob) December 20, 2024
“Today, we are proud to witness another historic step in the defense industry,” said the Secretary of Turkish Defence Industries, Haluk Gorgun. “The Memorandum of Understanding that will form the basis of our cooperation with our old NATO ally Spain on the Jet Training Aircraft Project was signed between our Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB) and the Spanish Ministry of Defense.”
The details of the procurement have not been yet disclosed, however the official statement from the Spanish Ministry of Defense mentions that Spain will have an industrial participation in the Hurjet program. Previous unconfirmed reports mentioned a Spanish offer to provide Turkey with six A400M in exchange for the acquisition of the trainers.
AvionRevue reported earlier this year that Airtificial, a Spanish aerospace company based in Cardiz, is involved in the Hurjet project, manufacturing active and passive flight control arms. The company announced on Apr. 3, 2024, that it signed a two-phase contract worth $2.8 million to manufacture these components for the Hurjet, however it is unclear if other companies will be involved after the MoU.
Hurjet
The Hurjet is a twin-seat, single-engine supersonic “new-generation” jet trainer, which can also be employed as a light attack aircraft, and first flew on Apr. 25, 2023. The initial studies for the “Jet Trainer Aircraft & Light Attack Aircraft Project” commenced in July 2017, with the project officially starting in August of that year.
The Hurjet was developed as a supersonic domestic jet trainer to replace the T-38M and NF-5A/B 2000 aircraft in the Turkish Air Force fleet by the 2030s. The aircraft is also expected to equip the Turkish Stars aerobatic team and complement the F-16 in the light Close Air Support role, according to the reports.
TAI (also known as TUSAS) announced on Jul. 11, 2024, that the Hurjet successfully completed its 79th sortie, clocking a speed of Mach 0.9 at an altitude of 30,000 ft. Hurjet is expected to be able to reach Mach 1.4 at a maximum altitude of 45,000 ft, with a payload of 6,000 lb and a range of 1,200 NM.
Among the jet’s features, the company mentions carefree handling with high AoA (angle of attack) controllability, a full authority, Digital Fly-by-Wire Flight Control System, aerial refueling capability, Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) for autonomous operations, full glass cockpit with Head-up Display (HUD), Helmet Mounted Display (HMD), State-of-the-art HMI (Human-Machine Interface), NVIS (Night Vision Imaging System) compatibility, datalinks and Embedded Tactical Training & Live Virtual Constructive Training systems.
Just before the visit to Spain, where the aircraft arrived at the end of July, TAI, GE Aerospace and Turkish Engine Industries (TEI) signed an MoU to integrate the F404 -GE-102 turbofan engine on the Hurjet. This also included an agreement for local assembly, maintenance, repair and overhaul. Initially, the Eurojet EJ200 was also considered.
The jet made its first international appearance at the Egyptian International Airshow in September, although it was expected to attend the Farnborough International Airshow in July. Shortly before, in August, the jet completed the 100th test flight.
The second prototype performed its first flight in November, showing some modifications. Among them are a new radome, different air inlets and the installation of wingtip missile rails.
The aircraft is still in its developmental phase and has not yet entered serial production. However, TAI says it plans to start production in 2025 with the first deliveries in 2026.
Spain’s SF-5M replacement effort
Since 2023, SASF has been seeking a new generation jet trainer to replace its 19 Northrop SF-5M Freedom Fighter jet trainers (designated by the Spanish MoD as AE.9), with plans to induct the new jets in service by 2028. Hurjet was among four contenders to replace the SF-5M, including the Boeing T-7 Red Hawk, KAI T-50/FA-50 Golden Eagle, and Leonardo M-346.
After its delivery to Spain, Hurjet will serve in the Ala 23 at Talavera La Real Air Base, which currently operates the SF-5M. The aircraft would take over the advanced flight training phase which prepares pilots for the EF-18M Hornet and Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft.
The Freedom Fighters arrived in Spain in the 1970s, replacing the Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star. They have already undergone two modernization processes, one in 1990 and the other in 2008, with a third currently underway as the Israeli company IAI was contracted to extend the SF-5M’s operational life until 2030.
The Airbus Future Jet Trainer
Airbus announced in 2020 its Airbus Future Jet Trainer (AFJT) to meet training needs of fifth-generation and next-generation combat aircraft. The trainer was initially being developed to meet the requirements of the Spanish Air Force, with the European market also in mind, however no updates have been provided since then.
According to the initial plan, the first flight of the prototype was expected in 2025, with the delivery of at least 30 aircraft from 2027. In 2021, however, the Spanish Ministry of Defence reportedly said there were no funds available for it, seeking partners abroad.
More questions regarding the fate of the project were raised when Airbus and Leonardo signed an MoU in 2023 to jointly promote integrated training systems on the European Advanced Trainer market, leveraging on the Leonardo M-346’s proven experience. With the selection of Hurjet as replacement for the SF-5M, the fate of the AFJT is even more uncertain.