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Türkiye officially begins development of naval variant Hurjet jet trainer

Prototypes of Hurjet, Türkiyes first domestically produced jet trainer and light attack aircraft, are seen in flight as they arrive in Istanbul for IDEF 2025, July 19, 2025. (AA Photo)
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Prototypes of Hurjet, Türkiyes first domestically produced jet trainer and light attack aircraft, are seen in flight as they arrive in Istanbul for IDEF 2025, July 19, 2025. (AA Photo)
May 15, 2026 01:18 PM GMT+03:00

Development of a naval variant of Türkiye's Hurjet supersonic advanced jet trainer has officially begun, Turkish media outlet TRT Haber reported on Friday.

The carrier-capable variant includes a purpose-built arrestor hook system, reinforced shock-absorbing landing gear designed for high-impact deck landings, and fully marinized components to protect against saltwater and humidity.

A view of Hurjet aircraft at the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) facilities in Ankara, Türkiye, on December 30, 2025. (AA Photo)
A view of Hurjet aircraft at the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) facilities in Ankara, Türkiye, on December 30, 2025. (AA Photo)

According to the report, the naval Hurjet will require substantially different engineering from the land-based version:

  • The landing gear and fuselage frame will be reinforced with extra shock-absorbing properties to handle the steep angles and high-impact loads of carrier landings on short decks.
  • A custom arrestor hook system will be integrated under the fuselage to enable safe stopping on carrier decks.
  • The entire aircraft, from engine components and fuselage alloys to precision avionics and electronics, will be fully marinized, meaning all systems will be made resistant to the corrosion and wear caused by high humidity and salt exposure in open-sea operating environments.

Hurjet's first export agreement has been confirmed with Spain. Deliveries of the first aircraft are planned to begin in 2028, with the jets to be used actively in Spanish Air Force training courses in 2029 and 2030. Total deliveries of 30 Hurjet aircraft will be completed between 2030 and 2035.

Hurjet's first prototype conducted its maiden flight on April 25, 2023, and has since completed more than 150 test flights, reaching an altitude exceeding 45,000 feet and breaking the sound barrier.

The second prototype flew for the first time on Nov. 12, 2024. Serial production is ongoing while delivery to the Turkish Air Force Command (TurAF) is planned for 2026.

May 15, 2026 01:18 PM GMT+03:00
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