Spanish Skies Prepare for Hürjet: MoU Signed with Turkey for Advanced Jet Trainer
The Spanish Air and Space Force (SASF) has selected the Hürjet, developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ), to replace its aging Northrop SF-5M Freedom Fighter (in Spain, it is called AE.9) fleet, which has served as an advanced pilot training aircraft for more than fifty years. The first step in this decision was taken with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Turkish Presidency of Defense Industries and the Spanish Ministry of Defense on December 20, marking a significant milestone in defense industry cooperation between the two NATO allies.
President of the Turkish Presidency of Defence Industries, Haluk Görgün, stated the following regarding this important agreement:
“Today, we are proud President of the Turkish Presidency of Defence Industries, Haluk Görgün, stated the following regarding this important agreement: witness another important milestone in the defense industry. The Memorandum of Understanding that will form the basis of our cooperation with our long-standing NATO ally Spain on the Jet Training Aircraft Project was signed between our Presidency of Defense Industries and the Spanish Ministry of Defense. This important agreement is an indicator of Turkey’s goal of developing independent technologies as well as a sign of strong cooperation with friendly and allied countries. I wholeheartedly congratulate all of our SSB units who have contributed to this successful process, the valuable team of our TAI, our Ambassador to Madrid, and our TAF Attaché who attended the ceremony on behalf of our Presidency. Turkey will continue to strengthen its power in the defense industry worldwide under the guidance of our visionary leadership. I wish this agreement to be beneficial.”
While this MoU is the first step towards signing a formal contract, it is not yet a legally binding agreement. However, the recent visit of a Spanish delegation to TAI facilities in Ankara, following the Spanish Air Force’s inspection and complimentary comments on HÜRJET in Madrid in recent months, serves as a strong indication that a final agreement is imminent.
If there are no disagreements between the parties in the following processes, the contract for the procurement of the HÜRJET is expected to be formalized in 2025. That being said, apart from Spain’s industrial involvement in the HÜRJET program, almost nothing is yet known about the details of the agreement.
According to reports from both the Turkish and Spanish press, the deal involves 24 Hürjet advanced training aircraft. If these claims are accurate, this number would be sufficient to replace the 19 Northrop F-5s currently used by the Spanish Air Force’s 231st Squadron, based at Talavera Air Base in Badajoz, near the Portuguese border.
The Israeli company IAI is currently refurbishing the SASF’s Northrop SF-5M Freedom Fighters to extend their operational life until 2030. This refurbishment creates the necessary space for the Hürjet, which began mass production only a few months ago, to continue supporting Spain’s advanced pilot training program until it is delivered. Additionally, TAI’s production schedule includes an order for 17 Hürjets for the Turkish Air Force, with the first serial production aircraft scheduled for delivery in 2026.
TAI Hürjet Jet Trainer and Light Attack Aircraft
TAI launched the Hürjet project in 2017 to replace the Turkish Air Force’s T-38 jet trainers and F-5 aircraft used in aerobatic performances. The conceptual design of the project was successfully completed in April 2018, with preliminary design activities completed in July 2019 and critical design activities completed in February 2021. In January 2022, the company began production and assembly of the HÜRJET Project prototype aircraft. Then, the Turkish Defense Industry Executive Board (SSİK) decided to put Hürjet into mass production.
The first prototype of the Hürjet successfully completed engine and taxi tests at the beginning of 2023, followed by its first flight later that year. On its first flight, the Hürjet stayed in the air for 26 minutes with an F-16 Fighting Falcon, reaching an altitude of 14,000 feet and a speed of 250 knots. Since then, the Hürjet has performed over 100 test flights. During this time, the production of a prototype for the light attack variant of the aircraft was also completed and taken to the skies on November 21.
According to Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), the Hürjet is a cutting-edge advanced jet trainer and light attack aircraft tailored for the needs of modern air forces. Designed to accommodate a crew of two, it features a length of 13.6 meters, a wingspan of 9.5 meters, and a height of 5.1 meters, with a wing area of 35 square meters. The aircraft is powered by a General Electric F404-GE-102 turbofan engine, delivering 17,600 pounds-force (78.3 kN) of thrust. This power enables the Hürjet to achieve a maximum speed of Mach 1.4 and an exceptional climb rate of 39,000 feet per minute. It also has a service ceiling of 45,000 feet and a range of 2,600 kilometers.
The armed variant of the Hürjet has seven weapon stations. The Hürjet, which can carry a total payload of up to 2,800 kilograms, has three weapon stations on each wing and one under the fuselage and can use almost all domestically developed air-based missiles and bombs, including the Gökdoğan and SOM. The aircraft also carries a domestically produced high-precision 20,mm cannon.