Turkey Moves To Upgrade F-16s After Expulsion From F-35 Supply Chain - UrduPoint

 Turkey has embarked on an upgrade of its F-16 jets to extend their service life, President of Defense Industries Ismail Demir has said, following the expulsion from the US-sponsored F-35 joint strike fighter program over purchase of Russian-made S-400 air defense systems.

"Structural improvements of F-16 jets are currently underway. The project, which envisages engineering work and reconstruction, will concern 1,200-1,500 aircraft parts. The repair work also includes fuselage upgrade," Demir said in a statement.

The project, the official went on, will increase the service life of the F-16 jet, which forms the core of the Turkish air force, from 8,000 to 12,000 hours.