TAI Hürjet
The TAI Hürjet is a single-engine, tandem seat, supersonic advanced jet trainer and light combat aircraft, under development by Turkish Aerospace Industries. The first prototype made its first flight on 25 April 2023. The aircraft's name, Hürjet, is the compound word of and jet, which means free and jet in Turkish, and also has meaning in honor of Turkish fighter pilot and aviation engineer Vecihi Hürkuş.
The Turkish Air Force intends to use the design to replace the Northrop T-38M Talon in the trainer role and also to supplement the General Dynamics F-16C Fighting Falcon for close air support. The aircraft is also planned to replace the Northrop F-5A/2000 Freedom Fighter used by the Turkish Stars aerobatic team. A naval version of the aircraft may also be developed. The company also plans to pursue export orders to countries looking to replace older trainer and ground attack aircraft.
Development and design
The Hürjet project began in July 2017 as a TAI-funded private venture, with official approval from TAI’s board on August 14, 2017. The goal was to create an indigenous supersonic jet trainer and light combat aircraft to modernize the Turkish Air Force’s training and operational capabilities.Conceptual Design Phase was completed in April 2018, defining the aircraft’s basic requirements. A mock-up was displayed at the 2018 Farnborough International Airshow. On 22 July 2018, the Turkish Under-secretariat for Defence Industries announced that the Turkish Air Force had signed an agreement with TAI, giving the project official status to move development forward.
Preliminary Design Review was cheduled for February 2019 but delayed; it focused on refining the design. Critical Design Review was completed in March 2021, later than the planned August 2020, finalizing the aircraft’s design.
the aircraft did not have an engine selected, although the Eurojet EJ200 and the General Electric F404-GE-102 were under consideration at the time. Capabilities are planned to include air-to-air refuelling, fly-by-wire with parameter limiting, built in auxiliary power unit, night vision goggle-compatible cockpit, head-up display and an integrated helmet display system.
TAI completed the first test simulator for the aircraft in September 2020. Designated Hürjet 270, the artificial intelligence based simulator will incorporate feedback from the test pilots to change the flight control algorithms and the avionics software during the flight test process. The company has developed simulator avionics, flight control systems, screen, cockpit and communication systems for the simulator.
Turkey has invited Malaysia to join the Hürjet project, in the role of producing some parts for the aircraft. While Malaysia has some experience developing composite materials, it has never designed nor built an aircraft.
On January 12, 2022, the Defense Industry Executive Committee convened and announced that the first stage mass production decision was taken for the Hürjet, which is scheduled to make its first flight in 2025.
On April 25, 2023, the maiden flight of the Hürjet was conducted from TAI's testing airfield in Ankara, by Hürjet's Chief Testing Pilot Ercan Çelik.
On September 3, 2023, the Hürjet prototype successfully conducted a formation flight with the Turkish Stars aerobatic team, completing a total of 17 flights, accumulating a total of 9 hours and 8 minutes of flight time.
In May 2024, the Hürjet prototype successfully conducted a formation flight with an ANKA-3 stealth UCAV prototype, completing a total of 66 flights.
On July 11, 2024, the Hürjet prototype successfully conducted a transonic flight test, reaching a speed of Mach 0.9 at an altitude of 30,000 feet, completing a total of 79 flights.
On July 22, 2024, TAI, GE Aerospace and TEI signed a Memorandum of Understanding on integrating the F404 engine into new Hürjet aircraft variants and performing assembly, inspection, and testing of the F404 engines in Turkey. TEI would also provide assembly, maintenance, repair, and overhaul for the engine for Hürjet aircraft and export customers. TEI also plans to perform production of the engines and provide integrated logistics support for end-users.
On July 28, 2024, the first Hürjet, designated tail number #24-001 with Turkish Air Force insignia, successfully landed in Torrejón Air Base for evaluation by the Spanish Air and Space Force regarding Spain's tender to replace its F-5 aircraft fleet. The flight started in TAI facilities in Ankara with stops in Tekirdağ, Belgrade, Brescia and Mont-de-Marsan before arriving in Madrid.
On August 16, 2024, the Hürjet prototype successfully conducted its 100th flight piloted by TAI test pilots Ercan Çelik and Orhan Boran, accumulating a total of 118 hours of flight time.
The Hürjet prototype is expected to be showcased to the Egyptian Air Force and other militaries from Africa and the Middle East with a demonstration flight at the Egypt International Airshow 2024.
On 12 November the second prototype of Hürjet successfully completed its first flight. The second Hürjet prototype, remained airborne for 26 minutes on its first flight, reaching a speed of 260 knots and an altitude of 10,000 feet, with an F-16D flying ‘chase’.
On 21 November the second prototype of Hürjet took off into the sky with its new paint.
On 26 February 2025, Turkish Air Force Commander General Ziya Cemal Kadıoğlu and Spanish Air Force Commander General Francisco Braco Carbo performed a formation flight with two Hürjet prototypes.
Future operators
Turkey
The initial procurement order of 4 Block 0 units was later converted to a final order of 16 units with advancement of delivery dates.Spain
In July 2024, TAI Hürjet flew to Spain, participating in the tender to replace Spain's ageing Northrop F-5 fleet. The next month, there were rumors that Spain is interested in procurement of 24 Hürjets, in exchange for six Airbus A400M tactical airlifters, which were then softly denied by the Turkish Ministry of National Defense. On 20 December 2024, Spanish and Turkish officials signed the memorandum for cooperation, formalizing the deal for the first time. With the agreement signed between TAI, Airbus and the Spanish Ministry of Defense on May 14, 2025, the Spanish Air Force will receive 24 Hürjets through joint infrastructure production. On 28 October 2025, Spanish government approved 3.1 billion euros acquisition contract for 45 Hürjet aircraft and related equipment.Potential operators
United States
The TAI Hürjet will participate in the US Navy tender to replace its T-45 Goshawk aircraft. The replacement plan has been delayed by 2 years, postponing the period to the second quarter of 2028. The US Navy will acquire 145 jet trainers in total. Participants will be the Boeing T-7A Red Hawk, version of KAI T-50 modified in cooperation with Lockheed Martin, M-346N version of Alenia Aermacchi M-346 modified in cooperation with Textron, a version of TAI Hürjet modified in cooperation with Sierra Nevada Corporation to meet US Navy criteria.Failed bids
Malaysia
The TAI Hürjet participated in the Malaysia Light combat aircraft tender which started in 2021. Malaysia had a budget of $900 million to acquire 18 LCA. The companies and their products that submitted their bids for the tender for the light combat aircraft of the Malaysian Air Force were the KAI T-50, TAI Hürjet, Aero L-39NG, Alenia Aermacchi M-346, HAL Tejas, and Mikoyan MiG-35. In 2023 Malaysia announced the KAI T-50 as a winner of the tender.Variants
;Trainer;SNC/TAI Freedom
;Light Combat Aircraft