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The US has announced plans to proceed with the sale of dozens of General Electric jet engines to Turkey, valued at over $700 million, despite concerns raised during the congressional review process. The engines are intended to power Ankara’s indigenous KAAN fighter aircraft programme, a project aimed at enhancing Turkey’s domestic defence capabilities.
The decision comes ahead of the NATO summit next month, where US and Turkish officials are slated to discuss a range of issues related to defence co-operation. The move is seen as a significant gesture of goodwill towards Turkey, a key ally in the alliance, as both nations seek to strengthen their defence ties.
However, the decision to proceed with the jet engine sale has been met with some skepticism, given the ongoing disputes between the two nations. Turkey’s decision to acquire a Russian-made S-400 air defence system has led to its exclusion from the F-35 fighter jet programme, a multi-billion-dollar project developed jointly by NATO member countries.
US lawmakers have raised concerns about the potential security risks posed by the sale of sensitive defence technology to Turkey, citing the country’s increasingly close ties with Russia. In recent years, Turkey has walked a fine line between its NATO membership and its relations with Moscow, leading to increased tensions within the alliance.
Despite these concerns, the US has determined that the benefits of the sale outweigh the risks. A senior administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that the sale would “enhance our bilateral defence relationship” and advance US interests in the region.
The KAAN fighter programme, developed by the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), aims to create a domestically produced fighter jet that can meet the country’s defence needs. The programme has been touted as a key component of Turkey’s defence modernization efforts, which are aimed at reducing its reliance on foreign defence technology.
The sale of the GE jet engines is expected to take place in the coming weeks, and industry sources indicate that the first deliveries may occur as early as this summer. The development is seen as a significant step forward in improving defence co-operation between the US and Turkey, although ongoing disputes over issues such as the S-400 air defence system are likely to remain a source of tension for the foreseeable future.