Will HÜRJET replace the T-38? Türkiye’s jet-training transition
Short answer: Yes. In TUSAŞ’s own words, the HÜRJET project was launched “to be included in the Turkish Air Force inventory in place of the T-38 aircraft used in advanced jet training and the F-5 aircraft used in aerobatic displays”. The change-over will be gradual: the first contract covers 16 aircraft, and the T-38 fleet will be withdrawn as HÜRJET numbers grow. A full transition timeline has not been announced.
The T-38 Talon is the backbone of Turkish advanced jet training — the stage where student pilots learn to fly a fast jet before moving to a fighter squadron. Designed in the 1960s, the Turkish fleet gained a new lease of life through TUSAŞ’s T-38M modernisation, but airframe age and the need to prepare pilots for new-generation fighters (F-16 Block 70 and KAAN) made a new platform unavoidable.
The T-38’s role and HÜRJET’s purpose
Turkish pilot training runs in three stages: basic training on the HÜRKUŞ turboprop, advanced jet training on the T-38, then the operational squadron. HÜRJET takes over the second stage with a domestic platform. The Turkish Stars’ NF-5s are the programme’s second target; TUSAŞ’s product page lists “aerobatic display aircraft” among the roles.
| Item | T-38 (T-38M) | HÜRJET |
|---|---|---|
| Role | Advanced jet training | Advanced training + lead-in fighter + light attack + aerobatics |
| Engine | 2× J85 turbojets | 1× GE F404 turbofan, 17,700 lb |
| Top speed | Supersonic (Mach 1.3 class) | Mach 1.4 (TUSAŞ) |
| Cockpit | Modernised (T-38M) | Digital glass cockpit, tandem |
| Weapons | Limited, training only | 7,500 lb payload |
| Turkish industry role | TUSAŞ modernisation | TUSAŞ design and production |
How the transition will run
It will not happen overnight. The SSB’s strategy document schedules the first four aircraft in 2027 and twelve more in 2028-2029, while TUSAŞ targets a first delivery in 2026. As HÜRJETs reach training units, instructor conversion and syllabus changes begin, and T-38s are withdrawn as numbers allow. The first 16 aircraft do not cover the whole T-38 fleet; follow-on batches are expected but no total has been announced. See How many HÜRJET will Türkiye buy?
More than a one-for-one swap
The T-38 is a pure trainer. HÜRJET’s role list adds lead-in fighter training, an adversary (“red air”) role and aerobatic display, and its 7,500 lb payload allows light-attack missions. Replacing the T-38 therefore means adding missions to the training fleet, not just renewing airframes.
Frequently asked questions
When will the T-38s retire?
No official date. Withdrawal will follow HÜRJET deliveries.
Will HÜRJET also replace the Turkish Stars’ F-5s?
Yes, that is a stated programme goal; TUSAŞ lists the aerobatic role explicitly.
Is HÜRJET faster than the T-38?
Yes: Mach 1.4 against Mach 1.3, but the larger difference is in thrust and payload class.
Do 16 HÜRJETs replace every T-38?
No. The first contract is the first tranche; the total requirement is unannounced.
Related reading
- What is HÜRJET?
- When will HÜRJET enter service?
- How many HÜRJET will Türkiye buy?
- What engine does HÜRJET use?
- HÜRJET technical specifications
Sources: TUSAŞ official HÜRJET product page and press releases; Presidency of Defence Industries (SSB) 2024-2028 Sectoral Strategy Document; SSB President Prof. Haluk Görgün’s statement of 30 August 2026; TSKGV; AA/DHA. Updated as official statements are released.
