US to upgrade Turkey's F-16 jets

US Air Force F-16 jet fighters (file photo)

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/209146.html

The United States has reportedly signed a multibillion-dollar contract with Turkish military for upgrading a fleet of Turkish F-16 fighter jets, Press TV reports.

The 2.9-billion-dollar deal involves the refurbishment of just over 210 fighter jets, Press TV's correspondent reported Wednesday from Ankara.

According to provisions of the military contract, the US will also provide Ankara with source codes for the aircraft.

Access to the source code would allow Turkey to use its locally made weaponry and spare parts for the US-made war planes.

Turkey announced in October that it would begin mass-production of a cruise missile -- SOM missile -- that would be mounted on its fighter jets, including its fleet of F-16s.

SOM was first revealed during the 100th year celebrations of the Turkish Air Force (TurAF) at the Cigli Airbase in Izmir on June 4, 2011.

According to the developer, the missile made its first guided flight in August over the Black Sea, covering more than 100 nautical miles, using GPS/INS guidance system. The missile successfully hit its target with high accuracy.