Defense Industry and Diplomacy in the Context of the F110 Engine

^{F110 Engine (}StandardAero⁾

In both popular culture and engineering culture in Türkiye, the issue of engines holds a special place. Whenever any vehicle powered by an engine is developed, one of the first questions that comes to mind is, “Is the engine domestic?” Whether it is a car, a tank, or an aircraft, this question inevitably arises. Although there are other critical components in such systems, it is intriguing that the first question people think of concerns the engine, and this warrants examination.

A superficial line of thought brings several ideas to mind. First, engines are among the most important machines of the 20th century, so people attach great importance to them. Even though we are now in the 21st century, concepts do not change that rapidly. While questions about whether a system’s critical chips or software are domestic have begun to gain traction, the engine still retains its popularity. Nevertheless, it could be beneficial for researchers to study why the engine issue remains so prominent in Türkiye.

Actually, a recent event prompted me to reflect on this. Last weekend I was in Ankara. Already a city with a sufficiently bureaucratic daily life, it has recently been burdened with additional administrative pressures due to the upcoming NATO summit. One of the first questions asked by a friend I had not seen in a long time was about the engine of the national fighter aircraft known as KAAN. Of course, there is context behind this question. He repeatedly mentioned that U.S. President D. Trump had announced the initiation of a process to sell F110 engines to Türkiye ahead of the NATO summit.^【1】 By doing so, he reignited the engine debate in our popular culture. While some welcomed this announcement, viewing it as a milestone in the serial production of the KAAN aircraft, others questioned why the engine is being sourced externally.

^{KAAN National Fighter Aircraft (}AA⁾

Actually, Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler had previously clarified this issue in response to a parliamentary question proposal.^【2】 He stated that 10 engines had been delivered and that the process for an additional 70 was ongoing. Thus, the only new development is that the remaining 70 engines are now nearing completion.

Currently, numerous activities related to the F110 engine are underway within TEI.^【3】 Thus, these engines are well known within Türkiye’s engineering ecosystem. Additionally, their use in proven aircraft such as the F-15 and F-16 serves as further evidence of their reliability. Therefore, the selection of the F110 is entirely reasonable. Meanwhile, development of the TF35000, which will serve as the KAAN’s primary engine, continues, and we are likely to see this engine in aircraft produced in the 2030s. Thus, it can be said that there is no need to wait for a domestic engine.

^{Trump Approves F110 Sale (Generated with AI Assistance)}

Another question that arises is whether aircraft powered by the F110 can be exported. It is likely that aircraft equipped with the F110 will be delivered to the Turkish Armed Forces, and these will be the first to be operated by them. The data collected and feedback received from their use in a wide variety of missions will enhance expertise in both development and engine integration processes, contributing to the transition to the TF35000 engine.

After the transition to a domestic engine, export restrictions will no longer apply. In fact, the General Manager of TUSAŞ stated in a public announcement that aircraft sold to Indonesia will fly with the TF35000 engine.^【4】 Viewed this way, despite all its challenges, the process appears to be functioning. However, securing the F110 engines represents a critical threshold. When we consider whether this transition can be successfully achieved with the TF35000, it seems Türkiye may have entered a new phase in its defense industry. Predicting the gradual impact this will have on other sectors is not easy, but I have no doubt that it will constitute a field of study in its own right. We will wait and see.