It has emerged that Turkey secured the procurement of 10 GE F110 engines from US-based GE Aerospace, the successor to General Electric. The engines are a critical component of Turkey’s first indigenous fighter jet, KAAN, which is being developed by state-owned Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI).

The engine deal is seen as significant, as it suggests the United States is willing to support Turkey’s domestic defense industry at a time when discussions are underway over Ankara’s possible return to the F-35 fighter jet program.

Meanwhile, Baykar Technologies announced that two prototypes of its jet-powered Bayraktar Kizilelma unmanned aircraft had conducted close formation flight using fully autonomous systems, a milestone the company described as a first in aviation.

The Kizilelma development underscores Turkey’s strong focus on defense exports, with unmanned aerial vehicles such as the Kizilelma expected to compete for a share of the emerging market for so-called “loyal wingmen” designed to fly in formation alongside manned fighter aircraft.

The Kizilelma has also been designed to operate from the Turkish Navy’s TCG Anadolu, a drone-capable amphibious assault ship intended to project Ankara’s power beyond the eastern Mediterranean.

Source: Ekathimerini.com