Turkey has formally requested the purchase of a GE Aerospace F404 engine from the US for its locally-developed Hurjet light attack aircraft.
Ankara intends to replace its aging fleet of Northrop Grumman T-38 jet trainers and F-5 light jets with the Hurjet, originally designed as a jet trainer.
“We look forward to further deepening our defense partnership with Turkey, a key NATO ally,” Bloomberg quoted an official from the US Embassy in Ankara as saying.
The Hurjet
The in-development aircraft is fitted with modern avionics, air-to-ground missiles, and guided munitions.
It features a service ceiling of 45,000 feet (13,716 meters) and a maximum speed of Mach 1.2.
The single-engine, tandem-seat aircraft has a payload capacity of around three tons (3,000 kilograms/6,614 pounds).
F101 Engine
Additionally, Turkey is seeking GE Aerospace F110 engines for its fifth-generation Kaan fighter jet project.
Both engines are considered to be interim solutions, expected to be replaced with domestic versions at a later stage.
Turkey’s relations deteriorated with the US after it purchased the Russian S-400 air defense system in 2019.
However, relations have started to improve after Ankara ratified Sweden’s NATO membership bid earlier this year.
