Turkiye has asked the US for permission to co-produce GE Aerospace engines used in F-16 jets, with an aim to deploy them for its own domestically produced fighter plane, according to Bloomberg.
The NATO member is looking to manufacture GE’s F110 engines in Turkiye to ensure supplies for the initial phase of TAI Kaan, an all-weather fighter jet scheduled to make its maiden flight in January 2024, according to people familiar with the matter. The fifth-generation aircraft is under development by Turkish Aerospace Industries with help from the UK’s BAE Systems Plc.
Turkiye sees Kaan planes utilizing two F110 engines until the country is able to develop its own version, said the people, who asked not to be identified as the matter is confidential.
US officials in Ankara and Turkiye’s government declined to comment.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has made modernizing the country’s aging air force a top priority. That’s gained urgency since its expulsion from the program to procure and support Lockheed Martin Corp.’s advanced F-35 fighter jets in 2019, following Turkiye’s acquisition of Russian S-400 air defense missiles, which the US says could compromise the F-35’s stealth capabilities.
Earlier this week, Turkiye took a step closer to approving Sweden’s accession into NATO as requested by US President Joe Biden. A timely backing of the Nordic nation’s membership in the alliance was a US condition attached to the sale of 40 new F-16 Block 70 aircraft and 79 kits by Lockheed Martin. Turkiye is anticipating the move may also facilitate a positive response to its F110 engine request.
Turkiye plans to retire its F-4 jets and upgrade its F-16 fleet as a stopgap measure before Kaan becomes operational. The country is also seeking to acquire Eurofighter jets.
“Turkiye aims to have its domestic aircraft engine ready in 2028,” Defense Minister Yasar Guler recently told reporters.
The government in Ankara has been in talks with the UK’s Rolls-Royce Holdings Plc to co-produce aircraft engines, and while the discussions are at an advanced stage, the sides have yet to reach an agreement over the composition of a consortium, the people said.
Rolls-Royce already has a joint venture with Turkish industrial conglomerate Kale Group in Turkiye, where the future engine would be produced if an agreement is reached.
Turkiye’s request for joint production of the F110 GE engines follows an agreement reached in June between Turkiye’s TUSAS Engine Industries Inc., or TEI, and GE Aerospace. The accord extended TEI’s license to conduct F110 Depot Level Maintenance services for several countries operating F-16 and F-15 fighter aircraft. TEI is one of the largest manufacturers of parts for F110 engines.
