Turkey will increase the structural resource of its F-16 fighters from 8,000 flight hours to 12,000, Defense News reported.

The head of the Defense Industry Administration (SSB) Ismail Demir noted that the improvement of the current F-16 Block 30 aircraft will include the replacement of 1,200 to 1,500 parts. 

The modernization program indicates Turkey's intention to retain the F-16 as its primary air firepower until the country completes work on its planned domestic fighter, said university lecturer Bilkent Caglar Kurc.

Turkey is seeking to increase its aerial firepower after the United States removed it from the F-35 fighter program in 2019 in response to the acquisition of Russian S-400 air defense missiles.

Turkey is looking to build its own fighter jet, which could enter service in the 2030s. But as reported by Defense News, the program is crashing.

Turkish Aerospace Industries has been in talks with British engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce for know-how and co-production of engines, but the final contract has not been signed yet.