GE Aerospace, TAI sign F404 engine agreement for Türkiye's Hurjet aircraft

US aircraft engine supplier GE Aerospace and Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) have signed an agreement for F404 engines to power Türkiye's Hurjet aircraft, marking a critical milestone for the country's advanced jet trainer program, according to a joint statement on Tuesday. The agreement strengthens the long-standing strategic partnership between the two companies and supports Hurjet's development as the platform expands its operational scope and future variants.

Industry leaders' statements

"Hurjet Jet Trainer Aircraft represents a major step forward for Turkish Aerospace's aviation and defense capabilities, and this agreement marks a critical milestone for the program," TAI President and CEO Mehmet Demiroglu said. He said the long-standing cooperation with GE Aerospace continues to provide critical propulsion capabilities supporting Hurjet's success as a modern, reliable, and globally competitive training platform.

GE Aerospace's commitment

Rita Flaherty, GE Aerospace vice president for global sales and business development for defense and systems, said the company was honored by TAI's trust in GE Aerospace as a propulsion partner. "We are proud to support Turkish Aerospace as Hurjet takes its place on the global stage and to contribute to Türkiye's continued rise as a key player in the defense and aviation ecosystem."

F404 engine capabilities

Hurjet is powered by GE Aerospace's F404 engine, a combat-proven turbofan widely used in advanced training and fighter aircraft worldwide. Aircraft powered by the F404 engine are in service or on order with 16 countries, reflecting the engine's position as one of the most versatile turbofans in its class.

Decades of cooperation

The latest agreement builds on nearly 40 years of cooperation between GE Aerospace and TAI, including their joint venture TEI (Turkish Engine Industries), established in 1985. Two memoranda of understanding signed at the 2024 Farnborough Airshow and 2025 IDEF defense fair helped pave the way for the latest contract.