Turkey, Pratt & Whitney agree on F-35 engine center

ANKARA - Anadolu Agency

Pratt & Whitney and Turkey agreed over F-35 engine production. REUTERS photo

Turkey’s Undersecretary for Defense Industries and American aerospace manufacturer Pratt & Whitney have signed a letter of intent for the establishment of an F-135 engine center for F-35 fighter jets in Turkey.

The deal covers the final assembly, check and maintenance, repair, overhaul and upgrades capabilities for the engines in Turkey and has been approved by the U.S. government.

The Turkish Undersecretary for Defense Industries said in a statement on May 20 that the “letter of intent is an important milestone of a long-term cooperation between the undersecretary and Pratt  & Whitney and shows Turkey’s commitment to a Joint-Strike Fighter Program, as well as Pratt & Whitney’s trust in Turkish capabilities.”

“Turkey’s primary aim is to provide benefit to the program by assembling F-135 engines and providing service to F-35 users in the region via these facilities,” the statement said.

Turkey, which has been in the Joint-Strike Fighter program from the Concept Development Phase, has contributed to System Development and Demonstration and Production Sustainment and Follow-up Development phases as a partner country. Turkey has recently placed an order for the first two F-35 jets of a fleet of 100 F-35A aircraft on May 5 of this year.