31 March 2022

DSA 2022: Turkish Aerospace Industries offers Malaysia joint production role

by Jon Grevatt

Turkish Aerospace Industries is offering its Hürjet advanced jet trainer and light attack aircraft to the Royal Malaysian Air Force. (Turkish Aerospace)

Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) is offering Malaysia joint production on several front-line military aircraft, the company said at the Defence Services Asia (DSA) 2022 exhibition in Kuala Lumpur.

TAI president and CEO Temel Kotil told journalists that the joint production commitment is supported through TAI's investment in the Southeast Asian country. He said TAI has recently established a Malaysian engineering facility, which it wants to develop as an avionics hub.

Platforms that TAI is positioning for the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) include its Hürjet advanced jet trainer and light attack aircraft and Anka medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

Kotil confirmed that TAI is also offering Malaysia partner status on the company's programme to develop the Turkish Fighter Experimental (TF-X)/National Combat Aircraft (MMU).

Kotil added that TAI is offering Malaysia the opportunity to produce components for the company's T625 Gökbey utility helicopter. TAI will commence deliveries of this helicopter to the Turkish Armed Forces in 2023, but the platform is also being offered to export customers.

TAI's Hürjet, which is under development, is bidding for the Royal Malaysian Air Force's (RMAF's) Light Combat Aircraft/Fighter Lead-In-Trainer (LCA/FLIT) programme. A tender to support the procurement of an initial 18 aircraft was issued by the Malaysian Ministry of Defence (MoD) in June 2021.

Kotil said the Hürjet will make its first flight soon, with 16 units delivered to the Turkish Air Force from 2025.

Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) is offering Malaysia joint production on several front-line milit...

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