Defence

Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Pakistani air force to modernise up to 32 Lockheed Martin F-16A/Bs. Signed at the IDEAS 2006 Defence Exhibition in Karachi, the MoU calls for work to start in 2008. TAI began modernising Jordan's F-16A/Bs in August, and the first two aircraft are due to be completed by November 2007.

TAI general manager Muharrem Dortkasli says: "We will discuss with the Pakistan air force the number of F-16s and the costs. We believe TAI will become the new F-16 modernisation centre in the region."

TAI is preparing to perform a mid-life update on the Turkish air force's 117 F-16C/Ds. The service also seeks an attrition purchase of 30 F-16 Block 50s, and TAI wants to open a local assembly line.