The Hürjet training aircraft, the T625 Gökbey, and the T925 helicopters dominated the Turkish Aerospace Industries stand at IDEF 2025. This marked three signing ceremonies that took place during the exhibition. Although no new aircraft were exhibited, the Istanbul exhibition was the right opportunity to assess the situation of the various programmes
Starting from the trainer aircraft, Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ) and Airbus signed an agreement to accelerate the export of the Hürjet advanced jet trainer to Spain. The document formalizes the cooperation between the two companies on the Hürjet programme, defining the respective roles in Spain’s jet trainer procurement process. This follows and MoU signed in May between TUSAŞ and a Spanish defence industry consortium that includes Airbus, focusing on industrial collaboration around the Hürjet. The new agreement aims to accelerate the integration of the trainer into the Spanish Air Force inventory, and also clarifies key details regarding the export of the aircraft. Up to 30 Hürjet are expected to be procured to meet Spain’s jet trainer requirement. It also sets the work-share terms and should be the final step before the anticipated order from the Spanish Air Force scheduled to be signed by year-end, with first deliveries scheduled for early 2028, if aircraft customisation, aimed at including Spanish content in the programme, will be developed within planned timing. How much the non-flying element of the programme, based on different levels of simulators, will increase the Spanish content is to be seen.
Another agreement related to the Hürjet programme was signed between TUSAŞ and GE Aerospace, this time related to F404 engines. The US company will support the flight tests of new prototypes and the development the Hürjet’s technical infrastructure. The MoU is related to the procurement, integration, maintenance, and repair of F404 turbofan engines. According to information released, Turkey intends procuring 100 F404s, TUSAŞ aiming at producing overall 300 such training aircraft.
On Day 2 of IDEF the Turkish Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB) signed a contract with TUSAŞ for the production of 57 T625 Gökbey Utility Helicopters. These Light Utility Helicopters will be delivered to the Turkish Air Force. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2028. The twin-engine 6 tonnes helicopter is capable to transport 12 passengers plus a crew of two and is powered by the TEI-TS1400 Turboshaft Engine, purposely developed by TEI (TUSAŞ Engine Industries) for the Gökbey. The first flight of the T625 powered by TEI TS1400 took place on 19 April 2023. Previously Turkey had ordered 23 T625, the first Gökbey being delivered to the Air Force in October 2024, the other being delivered to that same service and other military, paramilitary and governmental organisations.
As for the 12 tonnes T925, it was announced that the new helicopter maiden flight will take place next year. At IDEF the model exhibited featured the new fuselage, which makes the T925 pretty similar to the UH-60 Blackhawk. The tail has been completely revised as the helicopter does now lack the rear ramp, which was present in the past configuration. The maximum speed has increased to 342 km/h according to the latest datasheet available. The heavy utility helicopter is currently powered by two TV3-117VMA-SBM1V turboshaft engines produced by Motorsich in Ukraine, the same engines being used on the T929 ATAK which, EDR On-Line understood, is not anymore among top priorities for the Turkish Land Forces. A first production order was placed for the T925 and includes the production of eight such helicopters, that will be delivered to the General Directorate of Forestry and will be used for firefighting operations.
Of course, TUSAŞ is proceeding with the development of the Kaan 5th generation aircraft, which aims at replacing the F-16s in service with the Türk Hava Kuvvetleri. The first prototype has flown twice, a third test flight being scheduled for late 2025. It is powered by two General Electric’s F110-GE-129, the same engine that powers Turkish F-16s. A second prototype should be ready in late 2026, with two more following; compared to PT1 these will feature a series of modification, including air refuelling capacity and internal weapon bay. A total of eight Block 10 development aircraft should then be produced, followed by Block 20 serial production aircraft; this should start in 2028, aircraft being delivered to the Turkish and Indonesian air forces, the latter having signed an export agreement for 48 aircraft on Day 3 of IDEF 2025, becoming the first export customer of the Turkish 5th generation fighter. Block 30 aircraft, fitted with the indigenous TF35000 engine under development by TEI should be delivered from 2032 on.
As for unmanned aircraft, TUSAŞ is planning to deliver a first example of its Anka III unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) to the Turkish Air Force within 2026. It will be used for operational trials, and will help in refining the project, the company hoping to get a production contract for the service soon after 2028, which would allow to launch serial production. For the time being TUSAŞ has already started working on the Anka IV project, which EDR On-Line was told will have “a B-2 size.”
As we could see above, propulsion is a key issue, and Turkey intends to become independent from foreign engines as soon as possible. Established in 1985 as a joint venture of Turkish Aerospace Industries Inc., General Electric (GE), Turkish Armed Forces Foundation (TAFF) and Turkish Aeronautical Association (TAA), TEI has now acquired autonomous design capability, and is well underway to produce a family of turbofan engines that will power aircraft of increasing dimensions. The TEI-TF6000 (the number indicates the dry trust in pounds) is currently undergoing tests, the TEI-TF10000, which mock up was exhibited at the Istanbul exhibition, is very close to prototype stage. As for the TEI-TF35000, aimed at the Kaan Block 30, it is in the design phase and TEI aims at delivering the first prototype for integration on the fighter around 2030. Currently TEI employs around 4,000 people, 50% in production and 50% in research and development.
Photos by P. Valpolini