Istanbul: Trkiye's Tusas Engine Industries (TEI) is expanding its role in the global aviation supply chain while accelerating efforts to develop domestic engine capabilities, its CEO said. Speaking to Anadolu at the international defense exhibition SAHA in Istanbul, Mahmut Faruk Aksit stated that TEI has a dual role in the aviation industry: producing critical engine technologies for Trkiye and supporting international aviation engine programs through parts and module production.

According to Anadolu Agency, Aksit emphasized that one of TEI's major activities is parts and module production. He highlighted that TEI's exports have grown steadily, reaching nearly half a billion dollars last year, with parts used in more than 50 different engine programs. Aksit noted that TEI is among key suppliers for several well-known aviation engines, including the LEAP and GEnx programs.

Aksit clarified that despite TEI's joint venture structure with GE Aerospace, their export activity is not limited to GE. "Because we are a GE joint venture, everybody thinks we only sell to GE. There is no such thing," he said, emphasizing TEI's support for aviation engine programs across different countries and continents. This role has helped position TEI as an internationally recognized aviation engine manufacturer.

Aksit also highlighted SAHA's role as an important platform for export opportunities and international cooperation in defense, aerospace, and aviation technologies. TEI has already engaged in a cooperation agreement with a foreign company on engine systems and held discussions with another country about potential collaboration in engine development. However, he refrained from naming the parties involved.

TEI's domestic engine development roadmap began with unmanned aerial vehicle engines and progressed to helicopter and aircraft engines. The company's turbodiesel UAV engines are utilized in Trkiye's unmanned aerial vehicle platforms, and TEI recently signed a strategic agreement with Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) to supply 100 engines for the Anka and Aksungur UAV programs.

Regarding helicopter engines, Aksit mentioned that TEI's engine for Trkiye's domestically produced Gokbey general-purpose helicopter is in the final stage of certification. "The helicopter engine is about to enter service. We are waiting for the final stage of the certification process," he said, highlighting the importance of civil certification for the Gokbey helicopter.

TEI is also advancing its aircraft engine development work, preparing for the first flight of their aircraft engine program. SAHA, being held at the Istanbul Expo Center from May 5-9, brings together defense, aerospace, and aviation companies, official delegations, suppliers, and customers from Trkiye and abroad.