Turkish Aerospace Industries

Lore & Background

Turkish Aerospace was incorporated under the Ministry of Industry and Technology on June 28, 1973 to reduce Turkey’s foreign dependence in defense industry. With the decision to use F-16 aircraft to meet the Turkish Air Force's fighter aircraft need, Turkish Aerospace was incorporated by TAI in 1984 for a period of 25 years as a Turkish-U.S. joint investment company to carry out the manufacture of F-16 aircraft, integration of on-board systems and flight tests. Before the end of the 25-year period, Turkish Aerospace was restructured through the purchase of Turkish Aerospace's foreign shares by Turkish shareholders in 2005, merging TAI and TUSAŞ under Turkish Aerospace Inc. to broaden its activities.

TAI, which had a single program (the co-production of the F-16 Fighting Falcon) at its establishment phase, is working on over 50 military and commercial programs today. As a partner of Airbus Defence and Space, TAI has participated in the design and development activities of the Airbus A400M program. TAI's experience includes licensed production of F-16 jets, CN-235 aircraft, SF.260 trainers, Cougar AS-532 helicopters, as well as design and development of UAVs, target drones and agricultural aircraft. Since the 2010s, TAI has focused on developing domestic products, with priority given to unmanned aerial systems, producing the Anka UAV in 2010, the Hürkuş trainer in 2013, the T625 Gökbey helicopter in 2018, the Aksungur in 2019, and the Hürjet and Anka-3 in 2023, and the Kaan fighter in 2024.

Reader's Guide

Turkish Aerospace Industries is significant as Turkey's primary aerospace and defense manufacturer, evolving from a single F-16 co-production program to a diversified company working on over 50 military and commercial programs. Its legacy includes licensed production of numerous aircraft and helicopters for Turkey and allied nations, as well as the development of indigenous products such as the Anka UAV series, Hürkuş trainer, T625 Gökbey helicopter, and the fifth-generation Kaan fighter. The company has also been a partner in major international programs like the Airbus A400M and has manufactured aerostructures for Boeing and Airbus. Notably, TAI produced 46 F-16s for the Egyptian Air Force between 1993 and 1995, marking the first sale of a foreign-built Fighting Falcon to a third-party nation. In 2024, news media reported that TAI was responsible for introducing questionable titanium into the supply chain for aircraft parts used in Boeing and Airbus planes built between 2019 and 2023, though Spirit's testing confirmed the titanium was of appropriate grade. The company has also initiated domestic engine projects through Tusaş Engine Industries (TEI), producing engines for UAVs, helicopters, and jet aircraft.

Did You Know?

• The Anka-3, a jet-powered stealth unmanned combat aerial vehicle, made its first flight in 2023.
• In June 2024, news media reported TAI introduced questionable titanium into the supply chain for aircraft parts used in Boeing and Airbus planes, though testing confirmed the titanium was appropriate grade.