Malaysian news agency Bernama reported that Turkish Aerospace Industries plans to jointly manufacture the country’s home-made Light combat-trainer jet, “Hurjet”, with Malaysia should the tender process be successful. This is an effort to strengthen the global aviation industry in their respective regions, and that 15 jets will be built in Malaysia and another three will be built in Turkey should the tender process be successful. The Turkish Aerospace office in Malaysia will be the company’s first engineering and design office in Southeast Asia, where the company will continue its investments and collaborations in Malaysia for the development of new generation technologies, particularly in the field of defence industry and aviation.
While Malaysia and Turkey, two major Muslim-majority countries, have long had diplomatic relations, the advancement of defense ties has been a more recent development. Over the past few years, Turkish defense firms have been attempting to make inroads in several areas, including armored vehicles and shipbuilding. As of June 2021, a total of 13 manufacturing projects with Turkish participation have been approved with total investments of RM510.4 million, adding the government will continue to focus on attracting high quality investments which have elements outlined in the National Investment Aspirations (NIA) framework. The areas of focus — such as UAVs, coastal radar surveillance, and military communications — came as no surprise.
The TAI Hurjet is a proposed single-engine, tandem seat, supersonic advanced trainer and light combat aircraft, under development by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI). First flight is forecast for the last quarter of 2022. The Turkish Force intend to use the design to replace the Northrop T-38 Talon in the trainer role and also to supplement the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon for close air support. The aircraft is also planned to replace the Northrop F-5 used by the Turkish Stars aerobatic team. A naval version of the aircraft may also be developed. The company also plans to pursue export orders to countries looking to replace older trainer and ground attack aircraft.
Turkish Aerospace Inc. (Turk Havac?l?k ve Uzay Sanayi A.S., TUSA?) is the center of technology in design, development, manufacturing, integration of aerospace systems, modernization and after sales support in Turkey. Located in Ankara, the Turkish Aerospace production plant covers an area of 5 million square meters with an industrial facility of 150,000 square meters under its roof. The company has a modern aircraft facility furnished with high technology machinery and equipment that provide extensive manufacturing capabilities ranging from parts manufacturing to aircraft assembly, flight tests and delivery. TAI’s experience includes the licensed production of General Dynamics F-16 jets, CASA/IPTN CN-235 airlift, SIAI-Marchetti SF.260 trainers, Cougar AS-532 as well as the design and development of Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), target drones and agricultural aircraft.
