TAI and GE Aerospace Finalize F404 Engine Deal for Hürjet Jet Trainer

This article summarizes reporting by Daily Sabah.

On May 5, 2026, Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) and U.S.-based GE Aerospace finalized a formal agreement to supply F404 turbofan engines for Türkiye’s Hürjet aircraft. According to reporting by Daily Sabah, this deal officially transitions the Hürjet advanced jet trainer and light combat aircraft program from its prototype phase into serial production.

The comprehensive contract encompasses engine supply, integration, and long-term cooperation on maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) processes. It also secures GE Aerospace’s technical support for upcoming prototype flight testing, cementing a critical propulsion system necessary for both domestic operations and international export.

This milestone builds upon a nearly 40-year strategic Partnerships between the two aerospace entities. As noted in the source report, this relationship previously led to the establishment of the TUSAŞ Engine Industries (TEI) joint venture in 1985, which has since become a major regional aerospace hub.

The Hürjet Program and Technical Specifications

Transitioning to Serial Production

Initiated in 2017, the Hürjet is Türkiye’s first domestically produced manned jet trainer and light combat aircraft. The platform successfully completed its Maiden-Flight on April 25, 2023, and had logged over 210 test flights by mid-2025, as detailed in the Daily Sabah report.

The aircraft is designed to replace the Turkish Air Force’s aging fleet of Northrop T-38 Talon trainers and the F-5 jets currently utilized by the Turkish Stars aerobatic team. Beyond advanced jet training, the Hürjet is fully capable of executing close air support and light combat missions.

Platform Capabilities

Technical specifications provided in the report highlight a modern, versatile airframe. The Hürjet measures 13.6 meters (44.6 feet) in length with a wingspan of 9.5 meters (31.1 feet). It boasts a maximum speed of Mach 1.4, a service ceiling of 45,000 feet, and a payload capacity of 3,400 kilograms (7,500 pounds).

Additional features include a single-engine configuration, a tandem-seat cockpit, a full-authority digital fly-by-wire flight control system, modern Avionics, and in-flight refueling capabilities.

The F404 Engine and Strategic Partnership

A Proven Propulsion System

To meet these rigorous performance metrics, TAI selected the GE F404 turbofan engine. Producing approximately 17,700 pounds of thrust with the afterburner engaged, the F404 is a combat-proven system. According to the provided research, the engine is currently in service or on order with 16 different countries, powering notable aircraft such as the Boeing F/A-18 Hornet, South Korea’s KAI T-50, and India’s HAL Tejas.

The formalization of this contract follows two preliminary Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) signed at the 2024 Farnborough Airshow and the 17th International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF) in Istanbul in July 2025.

Leadership Perspectives

Industry leaders emphasized the strategic importance of the finalized deal in official statements.

“[The] Hürjet jet trainer aircraft represents a major step forward… and this agreement marks a critical milestone,” stated Mehmet Demiroğlu, President and CEO of TAI, according to the Daily Sabah report.

Rita Flaherty, Vice President for Global Sales and Business Development for Defense and Systems at GE Aerospace, noted the company was “honored by TAI’s trust in GE Aerospace as a propulsion partner.”

Global Implications and Export Potential

Expanding International Reach

The integration of a globally recognized engine like the F404 provides a significant logistical advantage for foreign buyers, as it easily slots into existing global supply chains. This is particularly relevant given the Hürjet’s growing international interest.

In July 2025, TAI signed a partnership agreement with Airbus to export up to 30 Hürjet advanced jet trainers to the Spanish Air and Space Force, intended to replace their aging SF-5M fleet, as highlighted in the source reporting.

AirPro News analysis

We note that securing a finalized engine contract is a vital de-risking step for TAI’s serial production timeline. While the F404 is highly reliable, the broader aerospace sector has recently faced heightened scrutiny due to global supply chain bottlenecks. Furthermore, Türkiye’s reliance on U.S.-supplied engines, such as the F404 for the Hürjet and the F110 for the initial prototypes of the 5th-generation KAAN fighter, requires navigating complex geopolitical dynamics, including U.S. congressional export license approvals. Finalizing this deal provides much-needed stability and predictability for the program’s immediate future and export viability.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• What is the Hürjet? It is Türkiye’s first domestically produced manned jet trainer and light attack aircraft, designed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI).
• Which engine powers the Hürjet? The aircraft is powered by the GE Aerospace F404 turbofan engine, which produces approximately 17,700 pounds of thrust.
• When did the Hürjet first fly? The aircraft successfully completed its maiden flight on April 25, 2023.
• Are there any international buyers for the Hürjet? Yes, TAI signed an agreement in July 2025 to export up to 30 Hürjets to the Spanish Air and Space Force.

Sources

• Daily Sabah