LowIII Kinetic Conflicts & Defence28 September 2026, Monday
Turkish Air Force receives its first two HÜRKUŞ-II trainer aircraft
The first 2 examples of the domestically built HÜRKUŞ-II trainer were delivered to the Turkish Air Force on 28 September at TUSAŞ's Kahramankazan facility. The programme covers 55 aircraft in total, all of which are due to enter the inventory by the end of 2028.
According to a CNBC-e report on 28 September, the delivery ceremony took place at TUSAŞ's Kahramankazan facility, where the first 2 aircraft were handed to the Air Force Command. The contract was originally signed for 15 aircraft and later raised to 55. According to Haluk Görgün, head of the Defence Industry Agency, all 55 aircraft will enter the inventory by the end of 2028. The aircraft has a local content rate of about 80%. It received military certification on 9 September 2026 after roughly 23,000 hours of testing.
According to a Yeni Asır report on 28 September, the ceremony was attended by Görgün, Air Force Commander General Rafet Dalkıran and TUSAŞ General Manager Mehmet Demiroğlu. The report said the aircraft can carry out light attack and close air support missions as well as basic and advanced pilot training. Dalkıran said the aircraft is part of the chain that will train pilots for HÜRJET and KAAN. According to Görgün, HÜRKUŞ squadrons will be formed in 2027. A claim that 10 more aircraft will be delivered by year-end could not be verified, as it does not appear in the 2 sources reviewed.
Talay assessment
Bottom line
The delivery closes the training link in Türkiye's domestic crewed-aircraft chain. HÜRKUŞ covers basic training, HÜRJET advanced training and KAAN the combat fleet. Squeezing the 55-aircraft schedule into the period to the end of 2028 makes the production rate decisive. The aircraft's light attack capability opens a second use case in export markets.
Likely effects
- Pilot trainingPositive6 months+
A domestic trainer reduces dependence on imported platforms and ties the pilot pipeline leading to KAAN to Türkiye's own infrastructure.
- Defence exportsPositive6 months+
A trainer able to fly light attack and close air support missions could give Türkiye a new export item in the trainer aircraft market.
- Production scheduleUncertain1–6 months
Delivering 55 aircraft by the end of 2028 requires TUSAŞ and its subcontractors to raise their production rate.
Possibilities, ranked
- 1Schedule holds55%
Series deliveries continue, squadrons are formed in 2027 and the end-2028 target comes within reach.
Watch: The Defence Industry Agency's year-end delivery statement
- 2Slippage35%
The delivery schedule slips by a few months because of subsystem supply or production rates.
Watch: Number of aircraft delivered in the first half of 2027
- 3Export order10%
The first foreign HÜRKUŞ-II order arrives and the production line is shared.
Watch: Export contract announcement from TUSAŞ
Probabilities are calibrated judgement based on the sources, not measurement, and are revised as new information arrives. Not investment advice.
Market reaction
Indicators affected
- Aircraft delivered▲ 2
- Total order▲ 55 aircraft
- Local content rate▲ ~80%