(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — The Turkish defense industry is not only producing various weapon systems for both domestic and international use but also simultaneously working on developing various types of engines for these systems, aiming to “liberate” itself from dependence on foreign countries.
Engines are considered the most crucial and “most challenging” component to develop for any weapon system, thus for Ankara, the ability to master the technology of producing its own engines can determine whether its defense industry truly becomes independent and self-reliant from foreign influences.
When Turkey began developing fighter aircraft such as “Hurkus,” “Hurjet,” and the fifth-generation aircraft, KAAN (TF-X), it also looked at the country’s capability to produce its own engines to power these fighter aircraft.
The ability to produce domestic engines is seen as a “life and death” for Turkey’s defense industry.
Tusas Engine Industries (TEI) is a company established through cooperation between Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), GE Aviation, and several other local entities to ensure that the Mediterranean nation can be self-sufficient in producing engines for aircraft and guided missiles.
TEI began by producing licensed GE F110 engines used by domestically produced Turkish Air Force F-16 aircraft. It also manufactures licensed engines used by the T-70 helicopters (a local variant of the S-70) and LHTEC engines used by the T129 ATAK attack helicopters developed by TAI.
The engines developed by TEI are crucial as they are used in various rockets and guided missiles produced by various Turkish defense companies for both domestic and international markets.
Currently, TEI is developing its most powerful turbofan engine ever, the TEI-TF10000, which is an evolution of the earlier TEI-TF6000 turbofan engine. The TEI-TF10000 engine, introduced last December, is designed to provide 10,000 pounds of thrust.
The TEI-TF10000 engine is intended for use in unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) like “Kizilelma,” developed by Turkey’s renowned drone manufacturer, Baykar Technology, and operates from Turkey’s largest warship, the TCG Anadolu.
Additionally, the engine is used in fast attack boats, power plants, commercial aircraft, and can offer a solution for the ATAK-2 attack helicopter.
The development of the TEI-TF10000 engine by TEI represents a significant technological achievement for Turkey in its efforts to design and develop engines for its fifth-generation fighter aircraft, KAAN.
The TEI-TF10000 engine serves as the foundation for locally-made engines that will equip Turkey’s future production series of KAAN fighter aircraft.
However, KAAN prototype aircraft currently use GE F110 engines, while production series aircraft will rely on domestic engines.
Turkey is determined to avoid another unfortunate incident like the one that occurred two years ago when the country failed to sell 30 T129 ATAK attack helicopters to Pakistan, despite both countries reaching an agreement.
The failure to sell the attack helicopters to Pakistan was due to the United States refusing export clearance for the LHTEC T800-4A engines used by the Turkish-made attack helicopters.
The T129 ATAK attack helicopter is powered by two engines and is developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) based on the Agusta A129 Mangusta helicopter from Agusta-Westland.
The T129 ATAK attack helicopter uses engines developed by American company Honeywell and Rolls-Royce from the United Kingdom.
Pakistan signed a $1.5 billion agreement in 2018 to acquire 30 of these attack helicopters fromTurkey but due to the engine export restrictions, Ankara failed to proceed with the sale to Islamabad.
Developing their own engines can prevent a recurrence of such incidents.
The U.S. export restrictions stemmed from Turkey’s purchase of the S-400 air defense system from Russia. However, the United States granted engine export licenses when Turkey sold six T129 ATAK helicopters to the Philippines, as Manila is a major ally. – DSA
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