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World Defense & Security News - Turkey & Pakistan
 
 
 
Turkey likely to gift 34 T-38M Talon jet trainers to Pakistan
 
According to Pakistanese media, Turkey has decided to provide 34 T-38M Talon jet trainers to Pakistan. The Northrop T-38 Talon is a two-seat, twin-engine supersonic jet trainer and it was the world’s first supersonic trainer and also the most produced. The Turkish Air Force has a current fleet of 68 T-38 trainer aircraft.
     
Turkish Air Force modernized T-38M Talon jet trainer
     
The T-38 remains in service as of 2015 in air forces throughout the world. The decision was conveyed by Turkish Commander of Air Force General Abidin Unal to his counterpart in Pakistan Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman when they met recently.

It is likely the planes would be handed over to Pakistan before the end of the year. Highly placed sources of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) told local media that the supply of 34 planes will reduce financial burden on the PAF and the planes will cater to PAF needs at least for the next 10 years.

T-38M is a modernised Turkish Air Force T-38A with full glass cockpit and avionics, upgraded by Turkish Aerospace Industries under the project. The US Air Force is using T-38M extensively and about 50,000 pilots have got training on this type of plane.

The sources said that Pakistan's Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman would go to Turkey to receive the gift from the Turkish Air Force.

Pakistan has also initiated search for a most sophisticated multi-role fifth generation plane and for the purpose Sweden, American, Turkish and some European planes are being examined.