The TurAF’s 238 F-16C/D fighters are currently operated by 8 different Squadrons (113th, 401st, 132nd, 151st, 161st, 181st, 193rd and 152nd) deployed at 7 different air bases (Eskisehir 1st MJB, Konya 3rd MJB, Merzifon 5th MJB, Bandırma 6th MJB, Diyarbakır 8th MJB, Balıkesir 9th MJB and İncirlik (Adana) 10th MJB) around Turkey. Most of them have been modernized to the latest Block 50+ standards under the PO-III and F-16 MSM/CCIP Programs. The F-16C/D Fighting Falcon combat aircraft, that forms the backbone of the TurAF’s airpower, will be deactivated from service starting from 2030 (Block 30 and Block 40 versions) and is to be replaced by Turkey’s next generation National Combat Aircraft (abbreviated as MMU in Turkish), also known as TF-X. There are also some 25 upgraded F-4E 2020 Phantom II all-weather fighter-bombers serving at the 111th Squadron that belong to the 1st Main Jet Base (MJB) Command located in Eskisehir. Starting from 2019 the F-4E 2020s were supposed to be replaced by F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters that Turkey, as a Level-III Partner of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Program, planned to procure as many as 116 (100 x F-35A and 16 x F-35B). However, deliveries of F-35As to the TurAF were halted by the U.S. Government in July 2019. Four days after the start of 1st S-400 Triumph Air & Missile Defense System deliveries to Turkey on July 16, 2019 U.S. President Donald TRUMP announced that the U.S. would not sell F-35 fighter jets to Turkey. With this announcement Turkey’s participation in the F-35 Lightning II JSF Program was also suspended indefinitely. So, the 5th Generation TF-X/MMU will replace both the F-4E 2020 Phantom IIs and F-16C/D Fighting Falcon combat aircraft currently in the service of the TurAF during the first quarter of the 2030s.

The T-41Ds are used for Screening Flights, while the SF-260Ds are used for Primary Flight Training. T-41Ds and SF-260Ds have been planned to be replaced with MFI-395 Super Mushshak Primary Trainer Aircraft produced by Pakistan. Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC), manufacturer of MFI-395 Super Mushshak Primary Trainer Aircraft, disclosed at the Dubai Airshow 2019 that they would start deliveries to the TurAF in June 2020. However, no deliveries have taken place so far, and this delay stems from COVID-19 pandemic. The T-38M Advanced Jet Trainer Aircraft will fly until 2030 and is then to be replaced by the New Generation Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) version of the HÜRJET (T-X) which is being developed by TUSAŞ.