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Assembly of Türkiye's first domestically developed jet trainer aircraft, the Hurjet, will begin in Kayseri next month, according to officials at TOMTAS Aviation and Technology Inc.
Ferhat Cakir, board member of TOMTAS, announced that component-level assembly of the Hurjet will commence in September or October at the company's manufacturing facility in Kayseri. The advanced jet trainer is being developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) for advanced jet training and close air support missions.
TOMTAS represents Türkiye's first aircraft manufacturing facility, originally established during the early years of the Turkish Republic but later discontinued.
The company was revived in 2023 and now produces detailed components for several Turkish defense projects, including TAI's Hurjet, Hurkus, KAAN, Gokbey, ATAK and Anka aircraft programs.
"In September or October, Allah willing, we will have started the assembly of Hurjet here in our Kayseri facility," Cakir said.
"Construction is in its final phase and continues at full speed. There is intense work ongoing. Both the fact that Hurjet, our country's first jet-powered aircraft, is being assembled, and on the other hand, that an aircraft assembly is directly starting in Kayseri, is a great source of pride for our company, our city and our region," he added.
Cakir noted that demand extends beyond the primary contractor. "At this stage, it should also be mentioned that not only TAI, but also various other companies are requesting detailed parts and assembly-related demands from us. We are in a great struggle to fulfill these demands as well."
The Hurjet assembly facility spans approximately 10,000 square meters, nearly twice the size of the existing 12,000-square-meter component production facility. TOMTAS plans to add a third facility of similar size by year-end for additional component and sub-assembly production, though this may face delays of a few months.
"When all these mentioned projects become operational, approximately 500 jobs will be created," Cakir stated.
Ahmet Hidayet Kiraz, Hurjet assembly program director, outlined the scope of manufacturing operations planned for the facility.
"Within the scope of the Hurjet assembly program, we will carry out component-level assembly of the aircraft," Kiraz explained.
By component level, he explained, the company will assemble the aircraft's rear and middle fuselages, wing and tail groups. The process will involve completing products made up of several thousand parts across five main groups, which will then be delivered to the customer.
"We have significant workmanship involved. Our preparations in this direction continue. We aim to continue increasing the number of our deliveries every year," he concluded.
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