HÜRKUŞ-II Enters Turkish Air Force Inventory on September 28

Ender Öztürk

September 24, 2026

The domestically developed HÜRKUŞ-II basic trainer aircraft, manufactured by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ), is set to achieve a significant milestone by entering the Turkish Air Force inventory. The Ministry of National Defense announced that the official acceptance ceremony for the aircraft will take place on September 28, 2026, at TUSAŞ’s Kahramankazan facilities. Air Force Commander General Rafet Dalkıran is scheduled to attend the event, marking a pivotal moment in the aircraft’s development, testing, and certification phases before its operational integration with the Turkish Air Force.

HÜRKUŞ-II Secures Its Military Type Certification

A significant precursor to the HÜRKUŞ-II’s acceptance process was the issuance of Turkey’s first national Military Type Certificate on September 9, 2026. This certification is a testament to the rigorous development and testing phases the aircraft underwent, paving the way for its integration into military service.

According to information provided by TUSAŞ, the comprehensive certification process involved the verification of 1,790 distinct certification requirements across 12 different disciplines. Additionally, 950 pieces of evidence documentation were meticulously reviewed from a technical standpoint, and a total of 153 certification tests were successfully executed.

These tests comprised various stages, including 38 laboratory tests, 71 ground tests, and 44 flight tests. The successful completion of this extensive process ensured that the HÜRKUŞ-II met all necessary military standards, overcoming a major technical hurdle before its delivery to the operational user.

Turkish Air Force Will Procure 55 HÜRKUŞ-II Aircraft

The HÜRKUŞ-II has been specifically designed to address the foundational training needs of the Turkish Air Force. This next-generation training aircraft from TUSAŞ represents an advanced iteration within the HÜRKUŞ family, conceptualized with a broader scope for military applications and enhanced capabilities.

The procurement plan for the Turkish Air Force includes a total of 55 HÜRKUŞ-II aircraft. With the commencement of these deliveries, the Air Force aims to usher in a new era for its basic training fleet. The introduction of the HÜRKUŞ-II will enable Turkey to utilize a domestically developed, state-of-the-art platform for fundamental pilotage education, particularly in the initial flight training of military pilots.

Critical Test Flight Precedes Acceptance Ceremony

As the HÜRKUŞ-II approached its official acceptance, another crucial test activity was carried out. On September 16, Haluk Görgün, the President of Defense Industries, and Air Force Commander General Rafet Dalkıran conducted a joint test flight aboard the HÜRKUŞ-II. This flight garnered particular attention as it occurred shortly after the aircraft received its military type certificate, signaling the final stages of readiness.

Following the flight, Görgün emphasized that the HÜRKUŞ-II’s delivery process had reached its conclusive phase. He underscored the significance of the Turkish Air Force receiving a national aircraft, highlighting it as an important milestone for Turkey’s defense capabilities.

On the same day, a HÜRJET test flight was also conducted, during which the activities of the MURAD AESA radar, developed by ASELSAN, were tested on the HÜRJET. This indicates that significant testing activities are progressing not only for the HÜRKUŞ-II but also within Turkey’s jet training aircraft program.

September 28 Marks a Pivotal Milestone for HÜRKUŞ-II

The acceptance ceremony scheduled for September 28 will solidify a tangible step in the HÜRKUŞ-II’s journey towards its delivery to the Turkish Air Force. The culmination of its military type certification, subsequent test flights, and the recently announced acceptance date collectively demonstrate that the HÜRKUŞ-II has transitioned from its development program to the user delivery phase.

Following the acceptance activity, further details regarding the delivery timeline and when the initial aircraft will become operational within the Air Force are expected to be clarified in the upcoming period. This event marks a proud moment for Turkish aviation, showcasing its growing capabilities in defense manufacturing.

What are your thoughts on the HÜRKUŞ-II entering the Turkish Air Force inventory? Share your expectations for its impact on pilot training and national defense in the comments below!