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Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) CEO Mehmet Demiroglu has provided important updates on the procurement process of F110 and F404 jet engines, which will be used in Türkiye's indigenous 5th generation KAAN fighter jet and Hurjet projects.
Speaking with Turkish journalist Tolga Ozbek, Demiroglu confirmed that the process is currently underway in the U.S. Congress and that no negative developments are anticipated at this stage.
"The applications for both the F110 and F404 engines have been in progress for some time. Right now, they are in the Congressional phase," Demiroglu explained. He also revealed that he had made a special visit to the U.S. last month to discuss these matters, which, according to Demiroglu, went smoothly.
"When I met with the relevant officials in the U.S., nobody foresaw any significant issues," he added.
Demiroglu also mentioned that the return of U.S. President Donald Trump to the White House might have a positive effect on the relationship between Türkiye and the U.S., especially in terms of defense industry cooperation.
"Mr. Trump’s return to power has brought about a relative improvement in Türkiye-U.S. relations, which could also reflect positively on defense industry collaborations," Demiroglu noted.
The TAI CEO also highlighted that, due to the F404 engine being classified for training aircraft, export restrictions are less stringent compared to military fighter jet engines. "Since the F404 is a training aircraft engine, we do not foresee significant issues, unlike with fighter jet engines," Demiroglu added.
Demiroglu finally expressed optimism about receiving concrete and favorable news regarding the engine supply process within the next few months. "We expect to receive good news in a few months, and we are continuing as if we will definitely acquire them," he said.
In a separate update, Demiroglu discussed TAI’s decision to prioritize the T925 general-purpose helicopter project over the ATAK-2 attack helicopter project. He explained that the decision was based on the increased demand for helicopters from Türkiye’s Army, Air Force, Navy, and Gendarmerie.
"There is a significant need for a 10-ton helicopter, especially since the likelihood of T70’s inability to reach the required 109 tons has become very high," Demiroglu explained.
The decision to prioritize the T925 is based on the forecasted aging of similar helicopters in the inventory between 2030 and 2040, which will create a significant gap in helicopter capabilities. "We decided to prioritize the 10-ton helicopter ahead of ATAK-2, as the need is much greater," he noted.
Demiroglu also provided an update on the T925 helicopter project, stating that the first flight is planned for the third quarter of 2026, with deliveries set to begin in 2028. "We aim for the first flight in the third quarter of 2026, with deliveries beginning in 2028, specifically to the General Directorate of Forestry with firefighting-configured helicopters," he said.
However, Demiroglu also emphasized that the ATAK-2 project has not been completely put on hold. Both the ATAK-2 and T925 projects share many common components, and the two projects are being developed concurrently. "ATAK-2 is not abandoned. Since they share many components, much of the work continues as planned," he clarified.
Demiroglu lastly shared that the design of the T925 has undergone significant changes to better meet user needs. "The current model is more akin to the T70 but with improvements in size and speed. It’s evolved into a helicopter that can meet the maximum operational needs of users," he explained.
On another front, Demiroglu discussed the Stand-Off Jammer (SOJ) Electronic Warfare Project, which TAI is carrying out in collaboration with ASELSAN. The project, intended to meet the Turkish Air Force’s electronic warfare needs, is progressing, with deliveries expected to begin in 2026.
"This is a project we are working closely on with ASELSAN, and many countries around the world are showing interest in it," Demiroglu shared, noting the international attention the project has garnered.
While the initial focus will remain on meeting the needs of the Turkish Air Force, Demiroglu noted that the project also holds significant export potential. "Our priority is to fulfill our own Air Force's needs first. However, the export potential for this project is substantial," he concluded.
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