News Story: TAI in Talks to Upgrade Pakistani F-16s

Burak Ege Bekdil

ANKARA, Turkey — Tusas Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) is negotiating with Pakistan to upgrade 74 Pakistani Air Force (PAF) F-16 fighters, company officials said.

“The negotiations are being held through our Pakistani representative,” a TAI official said. “We are hopeful about an eventual deal in view of our excellent relations with PAF.”

If finalized the deal will involve upgrades on a batch of 74 PAF F-16 aircraft, including 14 fighters Pakistan will acquire from Jordan.

But for any Turkish-Pakistani deal a US go-ahead is required.

“We are in talks [with the Pakistani officials] but it is not certain that we shall win the contract,” the TAI official said. “These [Pakistani] aircraft will need a US permission for any upgrade program.”

In an earlier upgrade program for 41 F-16s, Pakistan wanted the job to be done locally but failed to win US permission. But the US agreed that TAI could carry out the upgrade work.

In September 2014, TAI delivered the last batch of four upgraded F-16s to PAF. That program involved avionics and structural modernization.

Read the full story at DefenseNews

News Story: Z-10 takes first flight in Pakistan

China's first Changhe Aircraft Industries Corporation Z-10 helicopter shipped to Pakistan completed its first test in Rawalpindi, a city located in the province of Punjab, according to internet users as cited in overseas Chinese-language news outlet Duowei News.

Earlier reports surmised that Pakistan was choosing its next-generation attack helicopters from either China's Z-10 or Turkey's A-129 to replace its obsolete AH-1S Cobras purchased from the United States back in 80s. Meanwhile, rumors from the Russian embassy suggested that Pakistan had placed an order for Mi-35 heavy assault gunship helicopters from Moscow. The Mi-35 may be used to test the Z-10's performance in a real combat environment, although the Russian reports remain unconfirmed.

Read the full story at Want China Times

News Story: Pakistani Turkish Defense Ties Continue to Deepen

By Usman Ansari

ISLAMABAD — The Pakistan-Turkey defense industrial relationship continues to deepen with more bilateral projects being promoted and undertaken such as aircraft, ships and tanks.

"As a matter of policy, we encourage Turkish industry to broaden their business activity and defense cooperation with Pakistan," said a senior official with Turkey's Under Secretariat for Defence Industries. "Not only do the two countries have a fraternal relationship, politically speaking, but also there are prospective areas for technology sharing and joint development. We do not view Pakistan as a market but as a present and future partner."

A London-based Turkey specialist, however, highlighted the restrictions.

"Obviously both sides are keen to cooperate more than past and present. One major problem could be Pakistan's fiscal constraints."

Read the full story at DefenseNews