ANKARA: Turkish Aerospace Industries, Inc. (TAI), which is Turkey’s center of aerospace, has acquired an international success by signing a contract regarding the modernization of PAF F-16s.
Under the program, the financial dimension of which is around 75 million US Dollars, a total of 42 F-16s will be upgraded at TAI’s facilities in 46 months starting from October 2010.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), regarding the start of proposal process of PAF F-16 Modernization Program, was signed between TAI and PAF during IDEAS Defense Exhibition in September 2006 in Karachi, Pakistan.
Being invited to the international bid for PAF F-16 Modernization Program, TAI, among other European competitors, was announced as the main contractor of the program following the final evaluation of Pakistan authorities in July 2008.
Following the negotiations, which started in 2009 between TAI and Pakistan authorities, and the mutual agreement, the contract was signed between TAI and Pakistan Ministry of Defense Production on June 29, 2009 at a ceremony held in Rawalpindi-Pakistan.
In 2006, as a result of another bidding process, TAI, which had signed an agreement with the Royal Jordanian Air Force (RJAF) for the modernization of RJAF F-16s, has successfully completed the program with the delivery of the last aircraft in April 2009.
Being among the best companies in the world in the field of F-16 modernization, there is no doubt that TAI will successfully realize PAF F-16 Modernization Program.
In recent years, filled with intense competition in the field of defense and aerospace, TAI, which has not only been on the move with its successful programs and effective management, but also become well known in export programs, will continue rising with new programs.
