TF-X fighter jet may receive a Ukrainian-made engine
Ivchenko-Progress, a company operating in the Ukrainian market, has applied to participate in a tender to select a jet engine developer for the TF-X. SavunmaSanayiST writes about this.
According to the publication, the Ukrainian engine manufacturer will participate in the tender announced by Turkey together with TEI, a company operating in the local market. They will compete with Rolls-Royce, which will participate in the competition in cooperation with Kale Group. It is worth noting that one of the key conditions of the tender is the transfer of intellectual property rights to the engine for the fifth generation fighter jet to Turkey.
The Turkish government announced the first tender for engine design in 2014. Five companies applied to participate. These include Pratt & Whitney, Eurojet, Rosoboronexport, Snecma, and General Electric. Meanwhile, the tender never took place. Another competition was announced by the Turkish authorities in 2017. Applications for participation were submitted by TAEC, founded by Rolls-Royce in partnership with the Kale Group, and the Turkish company TRMotor. In 2019, the British company left the joint venture due to a dispute over the distribution of intellectual property.
During the development period, the Turkish fighter used F110 turbofan engines supplied by General Electric. By the way, the first 20 units of KAAN aircraft were equipped with such engines.
