Newsletters
According to Scramble Magazine, Pakistan Aeronautical Complex completed the delivery of 52 MFI-395 Super Mushshak training aircraft ordered by Türkiye. The order was placed during the 2016 IDEAS Defence Fair held in Karachi.
Despite significant delays that plagued the program, the project is considered one of the most important defense industry cooperations between Pakistan and Türkiye in the military aviation field. Early Super Mushshak aircraft underwent acceptance and flight-line tests at Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) facilities before being handed over to operational units.
The Super Mushshaks are primarily operated by the 123rd Squadron based at Izmir Cigli Air Base, where they conduct flight training operations. Additional aircraft are assigned to the 126th Squadron operating from Istanbul Ataturk Airport and Yalova.
According to the report, with the introduction of the MFI-395 Super Mushshak, the service life of the Cessna T-41D Mescalero in the Air Force Academy inventory and the SIAI Marchetti SF260D aircraft used by the 123rd Squadron in the Turkish Air Force is expected to end.
The aircraft's design is based on the Saab MFI-15. Pakistan purchased rights to the aircraft, which first flew in the 1970s. The Pakistan Aeronautical Complex later developed the aircraft, designated the MFI-17.
The Super Mushshak is a lightweight, two-to-three-seat, single-engine, predominantly metal aircraft with fixed, non-retractable tricycle landing gear. It can operate from short, unprepared runways. The aircraft features a 260-horsepower piston engine, glass-cockpit options, an environmental control system, and dual trim systems for the elevator and rudder.
The Turkish Air Force will replace its Italian-designed SF-260 trainers with Super Mushshaks. Türkiye will be the 12th user of this aircraft type worldwide.
The Presidency of Defense Industries carried out the Basic Trainer Aircraft Project with the aim of providing the most suitable platform for entry-level flight training for pilots who will serve in combat fleets of the Turkish Air Force Command and to accelerate their adaptation to new-generation aircraft.
Currently, the Turkish Air Force uses T-41 and SF-260D aircraft for entry-level flight training of pilot candidates.
Following the evaluation of bids submitted for the tender, the Defense Industry Executive Committee gathered on August 22, 2016, and decided to start contract negotiations with Pakistan Aeronautical Complex Kamra Company.
Following the completion of contract negotiations conducted by the Presidency of Defense Industries, the preliminary agreement under the Project was signed on November 23, 2016, in Karachi, Pakistan. The official agreement was signed at a ceremony held in Istanbul on May 10 within the scope of the IDEF 2017 International Defense Industry Fair.
Set as preferred source
1 min read
