TAI, Lockeed unveil Turkish-built F-16

A crew chief from the 52nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron marshals an F-16 Fighting Falcon out of a hardened aircraft shelter at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn, March 20, 2011. UPI/Benjamin Wilson/US Air Force 

ANKARA, Turkey, May 23 (UPI)

Turkish Aerospace Industries and partner Lockheed Martin unveiled the first of 30 new Turkish-built F-16s in ceremonies Monday at TAI's facility near Ankara.

The Block 50 F-16 aircraft is destined for the Turkish air force.

"Lockheed Martin values the partnerships we have established with the Turkish government, military and industry over the past quarter century," said Ralph D. Heath, executive vice president of Aeronautics for Lockheed Martin.

"We look forward to continuing those relationships as a partner with Turkey in the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program."

The F-16 program has provided extensive industrial development and employment in Turkey over the past 25 years. The Turkish air force has more than 200 F-16 aircraft in its inventory presently. Delivery of the remaining 29 Turkish-built F-16s will be completed by December of next year.

In addition to company officials, participating in the delivery ceremony were Turkish Minister of National Defense Vecdi Gonul; Undersecretary for Defense Industries Murad Bayar; Turkish air force Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Abidin Unal; U.S. Ambassador Francis J. Ricciardone, Jr.; U.S. Deputy Undersecretary of the Air Force for International Affairs Heidi Grant; and U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Stanley Clarke III, chief of the Office of Defense Cooperation.