Egypt Airshow: TAI looks to consolidate

He talked about his main priorities of his new role – he was previously head of the helicopter division. “We have to make sure we produce what we are developing on a serial production scale, to the highest quality possible, in the most cost effective and fastest way.”

His predecessor, Temel Kotil, was a man who liked to get things done fast, and last year he managed to oversee four different platforms making their first flights – the fifth- generation Kaan combat aircraft, Hurjet jet trainer, Anka 3 unmanned aircraft system and ATK 2 attack helicopter. Dr Demiroglu added: “Our efforts are now to consolidate our efforts and make plans for the serial production of all four. “

On the Kaan fighter, Dr Demiroğlu said: “We are developing the second and third prototype of the Kaan, and by the second half of next year they will fly. Then we will be doing extensive test flights just like we did the Hurjet – we did the 100^th sortie inside 16 months in the Hurjet. We will do the same if not better with the Kaan. 

“The engine is the GE F110 as an interim powerplant, and we will soon announce in a matter of days on how we will proceed with a new indigenous engine with an international partner. Serial production should commence in 2028, and we are sticking to that timeline. 

Turkey has ordered a first batch of 16 Hurjets to replace the Turkish Air Force T-38AM Talons in the lead in fighter trainer role and Egypt is now too considering responses to a request for proposals it issued in January. “We have received the RFP and we are working on a response, and as part of that effort we are here. By the end of the week, we hope to fly Egyptian Air Force pilots.”

On the engine that will power the serial production aircraft we are waiting for our US friends, General Electric, which is supplying the serial production F404s, to get the export license."