The Banner of the Skies Has Been Waving for 114 Years: The Glorious March of the Turkish Air Force Continues
“The banner of the skies waves with the star, the power of 114 years flies with wings of steel!”
The Turkish Air Force, the strength of our heroic army in the skies, proudly celebrates its 114th anniversary with national pride and gratitude. As one of the oldest air forces in the world, backed by over a century of experience, the Turkish Air Force continues its mission to dominate the skies with unwavering determination.
On the anniversary of this legacy — written in golden letters in the history of Turkish aviation — we remember with respect, gratitude, and mercy our heroic martyrs who gave their lives for the homeland and our veterans who have passed away.
For 114 years, the Turkish Air Force has stood as the guardian of our independence. It continues to grow stronger through national and domestic projects, further reinforcing its air superiority with cutting-edge technology.
HÜRJET and KAAN Take to the Skies: A National Touch to Turkey’s Aviation Power
Turkey’s indigenous aviation projects are now taking flight. The HÜRJET, a domestically produced manned supersonic jet trainer, and KAAN, a fifth-generation fighter jet, stand out as clear examples of the technological capabilities achieved by the Turkish defence industry.
One of the most significant aviation projects in the history of the Republic, HÜRJET successfully completed its maiden flight on 25 April 2023. Developed for training and light attack roles, HÜRJET has also become part of Turkey’s national aerobatic team, the Turkish Stars. It made its first joint flight with the Turkish Stars on 6 September 2023. HÜRJET is expected to replace the current NF-5 aircraft and become the new symbol of the team in the near future.
Another project raising the bar in Turkish military aviation is the National Combat Aircraft, KAAN. Developed as a fifth-generation fighter, KAAN successfully completed its maiden flight on 21 February 2024, reaching an altitude of 8,000 feet in 13 minutes. Its second test flight was carried out on 6 May 2024, staying airborne for 14 minutes at 10,000 feet. The development of KAAN is progressing according to schedule, with plans to integrate it into the Turkish Air Force inventory by 2028.
Increased Digital Combat Power with UAVs and Combat Drones
Adapting to modern warfare concepts, the Turkish Air Force actively utilises unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) alongside manned platforms. Once imported, UAV systems are now predominantly developed domestically thanks to advancements in Turkey’s defence industry over the last 20 years.
The current inventory includes the ANKA and AKSUNGUR UAVs developed by TUSAŞ, as well as the Bayraktar TB2 and Akıncı UCAVs produced by BAYKAR. Other domestically developed unmanned systems from various Turkish defence firms also contribute to air operations. New systems such as the Bayraktar TB3, unmanned fighter jets like KIZILELMA and ANKA-3, are currently in testing and are expected to join the fleet soon.
Additionally, the A400M military transport aircraft, known as “Koca Yusuf,” plays a critical role in humanitarian missions and represents Turkey’s strength in strategic airlift capabilities.
Reconnaissance Satellite Command: Power from Space
The Reconnaissance Satellite Command, operating under the Turkish Air Force, is the central body for space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance activities. It oversees satellite command and control, ground station operations, and data transmission.
The high-resolution satellite imagery obtained through these ongoing operations — even during peacetime — is shared with the Turkish Armed Forces, government agencies, and universities, contributing to national security and scientific research.
