Turkey’s First HURJET Delivery Aircraft for the Air Force Completes Maiden Flight

The first production-configuration HURJET, the jet trainer developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAS) under the coordination of the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB), completed its maiden flight on August 30 — the 104th anniversary of Turkey’s Great Victory (Zafer Bayrami). This is the first HURJET slated for delivery to the Turkish Air Force.

From First Flight to Series Production

Launched in 2017, the HURJET program passed a key milestone with its first flight on April 25, 2023. Flight testing with two prototypes has since taken the aircraft past supersonic speeds, drawing significant attention both domestically and internationally.

Delivery Aircraft Takes to the Sky

Following that progress, work on serial production accelerated. After final assembly of the first HURJET earmarked for the Air Force was completed under the contract, ground and taxi tests were carried out successfully. With preparations finalized, the flight decision was made, and the aircraft — accompanied by the first prototype — stayed airborne for 18 minutes, completing its first flight safely.

Defense Industry President Gorgun’s Statement

Prof. Dr. Haluk Gorgun, President of Defense Industries, announced the flight on social media:

“We brought our HURJET together with the Sky Homeland on the 104th anniversary of the Great Victory. The first HURJET to be delivered to our Air Force Command successfully completed its first flight following ground and taxi tests. The will that carried our independence to victory continues, today, to give our national aviation its wings. I thank our Air Force Command, our TUSAS team, engineers, technicians and all stakeholders who contributed to this achievement.”

First Batch: Six HURJETs

Alongside the two flight-test prototypes, production and assembly work on delivery-configuration HURJETs is proceeding on schedule. The program continues to showcase Turkish engineering and industrial capability through the aircraft’s modern design and performance, contributing to Turkey’s goals of aviation self-sufficiency, continuity and global competitiveness.