Assembly and Maintenance Centre to be Established in Turkey for F-135 Engines

Following the necessary approval from the US Government, the LoI will lay the long-term foundation of collaboration between the SSM and P&W. The signing ceremony was attended by Deputy Minister of National Defence Hasan Kemal Yardımcı, Undersecretary for Defence Industries Prof. Ismail Demir and Carrol “Howie” Chandler, Vice President for Military Business Development and International Programmes for P&W. 

In his remarks at the signing ceremony Chandler said: “With this LoI a national-level final assembly and check-out and maintenance and repair facilities in Turkey within the framework of the 5th generation fighter aircraft within the F-35 JSF Programme, will, in my view, bring very beneficial results for both parties. A decade ago no parts were manufactured for the Pratt & Whitney engines produced in Turkey. At the point we have arrived today, the F-135 engine parts can now be manufactured in Turkey. Alp Aviation is the biggest evidence of this; in addition, Kale Mould Machinery and Moulding will be one of the defence industry companies that will produce parts for our engines.”

Undersecretary for the Defence Industries Prof. Ismail Demir indicated that the P&W engine was one of the first to be introduced to the industry and mentioned his satisfaction at being present at the signing ceremony. Demir said, “No matter how well produced the aircraft is, the engine is the most important part of the aircraft. There can be no aircraft without an engine.” Demir emphasized that today, in the period following the delivery of the product, in particular, in logistics, maintenance and repair and parts support, life cycle management is very important and went on to add: “Possessing these capabilities means possessing all capabilities.” 

After the remarks, Undersecretary Prof. Ismail Demir and VP for Military Business Development & International Programmes for Pratt & Witney Carrol “Howie” Chandler signed the LoI.

The Facility will response the requirements of the Region

With the signed LoI, Turkey has gained an important capability in jet engine assembly and repair and maintenance activities with the F-16 Programme and by transferring this capability to the Joint Strike Force Aircraft Programme will realise the final assembly of the F-135 engines and furthermore targets providing services to the F-35 users in the region. 

Turkey has been JSF Programme from the Concept Development Phase and has contributed to the System Development and Demonstration and Production Sustainment and Follow on Development phases as a partner nation. Turkey has recently placed the order for the first two F-35 Jets of an overall 100 F-35A fleet on 6 May 2014 based on the decision of the Defence Industry Executive Committee. The two F-35 Block 35 configuration jets are expected to be delivered in 2019.