Türkiye expands aerospace presence in Europe with HÜRJET jet trainer and light attack aircraft export to Spain
{loadposition bannertop}
{loadposition sidebarpub}
On July 24, 2025, Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) revealed the signing of a strategic cooperation agreement with Airbus for the export of the HÜRJET, Türkiye’s first indigenously developed supersonic advanced jet trainer and light combat aircraft, to Spain. This marks the first confirmed European export of the HÜRJET platform and signals a major breakthrough in Türkiye’s ambitions to position itself as a leading defense and aerospace supplier within NATO and the European Union.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The HÜRJET is a Turkish-made supersonic jet trainer and light attack aircraft designed for advanced pilot training and multirole combat missions. (Picture source: Army Recognition Group)
The agreement for the Turkish-made Hürjet jet trainer and light combat aircraft is not limited to procurement alone but sets the stage for a comprehensive industrial and strategic alliance between TAI and Airbus. It includes the co-production of components, potential final assembly activities within Spain, and the adaptation of systems and configurations to meet the Spanish Air Force’s operational requirements. Sources close to the negotiations suggest that the aircraft may replace older F-5 Freedom Fighters currently used by the Spanish Air Force aerobatic team, Patrulla Águila, while also serving as a future-oriented lead-in fighter trainer for advanced aircraft such as the Eurofighter Typhoon and the upcoming FCAS sixth-generation platform.
HÜRJET’s development began in 2017 under the auspices of Türkiye’s Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB), with the aim of designing a fully indigenous aircraft that would reduce dependency on foreign platforms such as the T-38 Talon. The project rapidly progressed, and by 2022, the first prototype was unveiled at TAI’s facilities in Ankara. HÜRJET achieved its maiden flight on April 25, 2023, and has since undergone a structured flight test campaign. As of mid-2025, the aircraft has logged over 120 flight hours, including evaluations at supersonic speeds, high-G maneuvers, weapon carriage trials, and night flying operations. The Turkish Air Force declared Initial Operational Capability (IOC) in early 2025, and live-fire trials with indigenous precision-guided munitions are currently ongoing.
From a technical perspective, HÜRJET is designed to fill the critical role of an advanced jet trainer and lightweight fighter. The aircraft is powered by a single General Electric F404-GE-102 turbofan engine, delivering a top speed of Mach 1.4 and offering exceptional thrust-to-weight ratio for supersonic flight. Measuring 13.6 meters in length with a wingspan of 9.5 meters, the aircraft incorporates advanced aerodynamic surfaces and a digital fly-by-wire flight control system to enhance stability and maneuverability, especially at high angles of attack.
Its avionics suite is entirely modern, centered on a digital glass cockpit with multifunctional displays, hands-on throttle and stick (HOTAS) controls, and an open mission system architecture. This allows the HÜRJET to integrate NATO-standard systems as well as Turkish-developed technologies, including targeting pods, electronic warfare systems, and communication equipment. The aircraft also offers embedded simulation for in-flight pilot training, along with real-time data link capabilities for network-centric operations.
In terms of combat potential, HÜRJET is equipped with seven external hardpoints and can carry a payload exceeding 3,000 kilograms. This enables the platform to conduct secondary combat missions such as close air support, air policing, and tactical strike. Compatible munitions include the L-UMTAS laser-guided anti-tank missile, CİRİT 70mm rockets, Roketsan’s precision-guided Teber and HGK bomb kits, and air-to-air missiles such as the indigenous Bozdoğan and Gökdoğan. TAI is also exploring modular mission configurations, including ISR (intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance) variants and maritime patrol adaptations.
The deal with Airbus positions HÜRJET as a serious contender in the global advanced trainer market, competing directly with platforms such as the Leonardo M-346, KAI T-50 Golden Eagle, and Boeing-Saab T-7A Red Hawk. Beyond its tactical and technical qualities, HÜRJET now benefits from a powerful industrial partnership with one of Europe’s aerospace giants. This collaboration not only enhances the credibility of the aircraft but may also lead to future co-development opportunities, such as European-specific variants or integration into broader training ecosystems.
This strategic export agreement signals a major step forward for Türkiye’s defense industry, representing a fusion of national technological advancement and international industrial cooperation. It strengthens Ankara’s position as an aerospace exporter and reinforces bilateral ties with Madrid at a time when European nations are seeking to diversify defense suppliers and reduce reliance on traditional U.S.-centric platforms. If successfully executed, the Spain-Airbus-TAI agreement could become a blueprint for future Turkish-European aerospace collaborations, accelerating the global presence of Türkiye’s next-generation military aircraft.
{loadposition bannertop}
{loadposition sidebarpub}
On July 24, 2025, Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) revealed the signing of a strategic cooperation agreement with Airbus for the export of the HÜRJET, Türkiye’s first indigenously developed supersonic advanced jet trainer and light combat aircraft, to Spain. This marks the first confirmed European export of the HÜRJET platform and signals a major breakthrough in Türkiye’s ambitions to position itself as a leading defense and aerospace supplier within NATO and the European Union.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The HÜRJET is a Turkish-made supersonic jet trainer and light attack aircraft designed for advanced pilot training and multirole combat missions. (Picture source: Army Recognition Group)
The agreement for the Turkish-made Hürjet jet trainer and light combat aircraft is not limited to procurement alone but sets the stage for a comprehensive industrial and strategic alliance between TAI and Airbus. It includes the co-production of components, potential final assembly activities within Spain, and the adaptation of systems and configurations to meet the Spanish Air Force’s operational requirements. Sources close to the negotiations suggest that the aircraft may replace older F-5 Freedom Fighters currently used by the Spanish Air Force aerobatic team, Patrulla Águila, while also serving as a future-oriented lead-in fighter trainer for advanced aircraft such as the Eurofighter Typhoon and the upcoming FCAS sixth-generation platform.
HÜRJET’s development began in 2017 under the auspices of Türkiye’s Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB), with the aim of designing a fully indigenous aircraft that would reduce dependency on foreign platforms such as the T-38 Talon. The project rapidly progressed, and by 2022, the first prototype was unveiled at TAI’s facilities in Ankara. HÜRJET achieved its maiden flight on April 25, 2023, and has since undergone a structured flight test campaign. As of mid-2025, the aircraft has logged over 120 flight hours, including evaluations at supersonic speeds, high-G maneuvers, weapon carriage trials, and night flying operations. The Turkish Air Force declared Initial Operational Capability (IOC) in early 2025, and live-fire trials with indigenous precision-guided munitions are currently ongoing.
From a technical perspective, HÜRJET is designed to fill the critical role of an advanced jet trainer and lightweight fighter. The aircraft is powered by a single General Electric F404-GE-102 turbofan engine, delivering a top speed of Mach 1.4 and offering exceptional thrust-to-weight ratio for supersonic flight. Measuring 13.6 meters in length with a wingspan of 9.5 meters, the aircraft incorporates advanced aerodynamic surfaces and a digital fly-by-wire flight control system to enhance stability and maneuverability, especially at high angles of attack.
Its avionics suite is entirely modern, centered on a digital glass cockpit with multifunctional displays, hands-on throttle and stick (HOTAS) controls, and an open mission system architecture. This allows the HÜRJET to integrate NATO-standard systems as well as Turkish-developed technologies, including targeting pods, electronic warfare systems, and communication equipment. The aircraft also offers embedded simulation for in-flight pilot training, along with real-time data link capabilities for network-centric operations.
In terms of combat potential, HÜRJET is equipped with seven external hardpoints and can carry a payload exceeding 3,000 kilograms. This enables the platform to conduct secondary combat missions such as close air support, air policing, and tactical strike. Compatible munitions include the L-UMTAS laser-guided anti-tank missile, CİRİT 70mm rockets, Roketsan’s precision-guided Teber and HGK bomb kits, and air-to-air missiles such as the indigenous Bozdoğan and Gökdoğan. TAI is also exploring modular mission configurations, including ISR (intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance) variants and maritime patrol adaptations.
The deal with Airbus positions HÜRJET as a serious contender in the global advanced trainer market, competing directly with platforms such as the Leonardo M-346, KAI T-50 Golden Eagle, and Boeing-Saab T-7A Red Hawk. Beyond its tactical and technical qualities, HÜRJET now benefits from a powerful industrial partnership with one of Europe’s aerospace giants. This collaboration not only enhances the credibility of the aircraft but may also lead to future co-development opportunities, such as European-specific variants or integration into broader training ecosystems.
This strategic export agreement signals a major step forward for Türkiye’s defense industry, representing a fusion of national technological advancement and international industrial cooperation. It strengthens Ankara’s position as an aerospace exporter and reinforces bilateral ties with Madrid at a time when European nations are seeking to diversify defense suppliers and reduce reliance on traditional U.S.-centric platforms. If successfully executed, the Spain-Airbus-TAI agreement could become a blueprint for future Turkish-European aerospace collaborations, accelerating the global presence of Türkiye’s next-generation military aircraft.
