The Trump administration is preparing to move forward with a major arms deal with Ankara, selling Turkey dozens of jet engines worth over $700 million. Reuters reported the development, citing four sources involved in the matter.
The move is designed to give a “shot in the arm” to relations between the two countries and serve as a diplomatic achievement for Ankara ahead of the NATO summit set to take place in Turkey on July 7.
The engines, manufactured by American tech giant General Electric, are intended for the Turkish fighter jet KAAN, Ankara’s flagship project to develop an independent fighter aircraft—born from Turkey’s long effort to reduce its defense dependence on the West.
One source said the package being assembled includes 80 F110-GE-129 engines. These are expected to power the first models of the KAAN until production of a locally manufactured engine is completed.
Still, defense officials estimate that despite impressive progress on the project, it will be years before the new Turkish jet can operationally replace the American F-16s that currently form the backbone of the Turkish Air Force.