Turkey Moves to Buy Second Lockheed F-35 Batch

Turkey’s defense procurement authority has agreed to purchase a second batch of Lockheed Martin-built F-35 fighter jets, Defense News reported Monday.

Burak Ege Bekdil writes the country’s procurement and military officials expect to complete a dual-fighter jet fleet comprised of the F-35 and an indigenous aircraft called TFX by 2023.

Turkey has committed to buy a total of 116 aircraft under the JSF program and placed its initial order in 2014 with the first F-35 scheduled for delivery in 2018, according to the report.

The country’s Defense Industry Executive Committee met Friday to approve the order and to discuss other programs such as an integrated maritime surveillance system, establishment of a cybersecurity and defense center and a new generation of light-armored vehicles, the report says.