No decision has been announced on HÜRJET in Egypt, or on any other aircraft. Egypt has not publicly selected a new advanced jet trainer, and no tender documents or official shortlist have been released. EDR Magazine reports that the Egyptian Air Force’s requirement appears to have stalled, with no signal from the air force to proceed and a reported budget reconsideration. Citing a single unnamed source, it names three other types as the current contenders. HÜRJET’s earlier engagement with Egypt is well documented, but the outcome remains open.
HÜRJET Egypt: the current status
The latest public account of Egypt’s trainer requirement comes from EDR Magazine. Writing on 10 September 2026, Alan Warnes noted that no trainer aircraft were present at EIAS 2026.
According to EDR, the Egyptian Air Force (EAF) is looking for up to 36 new trainers in a first tranche. These would replace around 20 Alpha Jets currently used in the advanced training role.
EDR attributes its list of contenders to a single source. That source names the KAI FA-50, the Hongdu L-15 and the Leonardo M-346 Block 20, and says all three have submitted final offers several times. HÜRJET does not appear in that list. The account comes from one unnamed source, however, and Egypt has published no official shortlist.
The same report says there has been no signal from the EAF to proceed. It adds that the air force is reportedly reconsidering its budget, and there is speculation that funding has not been approved. Taken together, this suggests a programme that is paused rather than one that has reached a conclusion, whichever bidder is concerned.
Key facts at a glance
- Requirement: up to 36 trainers in a first tranche, according to EDR Magazine.
- Aircraft to be replaced: around 20 Alpha Jets in advanced training. Of 45 Alpha Jets delivered in 1982/83, only 24 are believed to be airworthy (EDR).
- Basic training fleet: around 106 K-8E aircraft, maintained by AOI at Helwan (EDR).
- Contenders named by one source: FA-50, L-15 and M-346 Block 20 (EDR).
- Financing: EDR reports that the winning bidder would need to arrange financing.
- Industrial partner: AOI is among the leading candidates (EDR).
- Decision: none announced.
HÜRJET’s history with Egypt
HÜRJET is a jet trainer and light attack aircraft developed by TUSAŞ. It made its maiden flight on 25 April 2023, and light attack, light fighter and aerobatic variants are planned. For background on the manufacturer, see our TUSAŞ company profile.
Egypt engaged with the aircraft at a senior level. In February 2024, Egyptian Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Osama Askar visited TUSAŞ. He inspected HÜRJET and watched a flight demonstration, according to Aerospace Global News.
In July 2024, HÜRJET did not appear at Farnborough. Aerospace Global News reported that the aircraft was instead expected to make its first appearance abroad in Egypt. Some observers linked that choice to Egyptian interest, though this remained speculation.
That appearance took place in September 2024 at the first Egypt International Airshow in El Alamein, where HÜRJET flew demonstration flights. The display was reported by Anadolu Agency and Daily Sabah. EDR also notes that the M-346 Block 20, L-39NG and HÜRJET all took part in the 2024 flying display.
Timeline
| Date | Development | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 25 April 2023 | HÜRJET maiden flight | Aerospace Global News |
| February 2024 | Egyptian Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Osama Askar visits TUSAŞ and watches a HÜRJET flight demonstration | Aerospace Global News |
| July 2024 | HÜRJET skips Farnborough; first appearance abroad expected in Egypt | Aerospace Global News |
| September 2024 | HÜRJET flies demonstration flights at the first Egypt International Airshow, El Alamein | Anadolu Agency; Daily Sabah; EDR |
| 10 September 2026 | EDR reports no trainers at EIAS 2026 and a requirement apparently stalled over funding | EDR Magazine |
What is not known or confirmed
Much of the picture remains unclear, and readers should treat the current reporting with care:
- No Egyptian tender documents have been made public.
- No official shortlist has been published. The list of contenders rests on one unnamed source quoted by EDR.
- No selection decision has been announced.
- The budget position is reported, not confirmed. The suggestion that funding has not been approved is speculation.
- TUSAŞ has not publicly commented on Egypt’s selection process.
Given these gaps, it would be premature to treat any type as either selected or eliminated. For Egypt’s current combat fleet, see our overview of Egypt’s fighter jet fleet.
FAQ
Has Egypt chosen HÜRJET?
No. Egypt has not announced the selection of any trainer, and no official shortlist or tender documents are public.
Why is HÜRJET not on EDR’s contender list?
EDR’s list of the FA-50, L-15 and M-346 Block 20 is attributed to one unnamed source. No official position has been published.
Why has the programme stalled?
According to EDR, the EAF has given no signal to proceed and is reportedly reconsidering its budget. There is speculation that funding has not been approved.
Sources
- EDR Magazine — EIAS 2026: Egypt still searches for new trainer, 10 September 2026
- Aerospace Global News — HÜRJET is a high-profile no-show at Farnborough, 22 July 2024
- Anadolu Agency — Turkish defence firms exhibit at Egypt airshow, 5 September 2024
- Daily Sabah — Turkish-made HÜRJET performs at airshow in Egypt
- TUSAŞ — HÜRJET official product page
Featured image: CeeGee via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Illustrative photo.