Turkey's F‑16 spectacle raises stakes in US fighter talks
An "elephant walk" exercise took place at one of the Turkish military bases, showcasing an impressive display of F-16 fighter jets. Turkey currently possesses over 250 of these aircraft, yet it remains keen on acquiring additional fighters from the USA.
The video footage available on social media shows a squadron of F-16 fighters taxiing along the runway simultaneously, which is a characteristic image of the "elephant walk."
Impressive "elephant walk" of Turkish F-16s
This term dates back to World War II. During that era, large fleets of Allied bombers carried out missions, often taking off simultaneously to maximise the attack's impact. In modern terms, an "elephant walk" refers to exercises that prepare pilots and crew for sudden attacks or the quick withdrawal of aircraft in case of a potential enemy assault.
The F-16 is a multirole fighter jet manufactured by Lockheed Martin. It's the most widely used combat aircraft globally. It can reach speeds of up to Mach 2 (over 1,900 km/h) and operate at altitudes of up to 15,000 metres.
The F-16's takeoff weight is nearly 17,000 kg, and its armament can weigh up to 7,000 kg. It accommodates a broad range of weaponry, including missiles such as the AIM-9 Sidewinder, AIM-120 AMRAAM, Python-4, AGM-65 Maverick, AGM-88 HARM, or Penguin, as well as bombs like Paveway and JDAM. It is also equipped with an integrated 20 mm six-barrel cannon as standard.
How many F-16s does Turkey have?
Turkey is ranked as the third strongest military force globally, after the United States and the United Kingdom. It has approximately 260 F-16 fighters, although some need modernisation. The Turkish authorities are in negotiations with the United States concerning both this upgrade and the procurement of more F-16 fighters and F-35s.
However, this is a complex issue. Turkey aims to maintain good relations not only with NATO but also with Russia. Despite delaying the ratification of Sweden's accession to NATO, Turkey eventually received approval from across the Atlantic to purchase several dozen more F-16s, along with modernisation packages for its existing fleet. The procurement of F-35 fighters is hindered by Turkey's use of Russian S-300 and S-400 air defence systems, which is concerning for the United States.
In addition to negotiations with the USA, Turkey is developing its own fighter jet, the KAAN, with the first 20 units expected to be produced by 2028.
