The Trump administration is expected to approve the sale of General Electric F110 turbofan engines for Turkey's indigenous Kaan fighter jet, according to a report from The War Zone. The long-awaited transfer would keep the Kaan program on track, removing a key bottleneck that has threatened Ankara's flagship aerospace project.
The engine sale signals a potential thaw in U.S.-Turkey defense relations, which have been strained since Ankara's purchase of Russian S-400 missile defense systems. Approval could fuel speculation about whether Turkey might be readmitted to the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program, from which it was removed in 2019.
NATO allies have watched the situation closely, as Turkey's defense industrial base seeks to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers. The Kaan fighter, developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries, is designed to eventually replace the country's aging F-16 fleet. Rival powers, including Russia, have offered alternative engine solutions, but Western technology remains critical for interoperability.
The financial terms of the engine sale have not been disclosed, but the deal is expected to bolster General Electric's defense portfolio. Procurement timelines for the Kaan program have already slipped, and the engine transfer would provide a much-needed schedule boost.
Analysts caution that the sale does not guarantee Turkey's return to the F-35 program, as Congress has raised concerns over Ankara's S-400 deployment. The move remains contingent on broader geopolitical negotiations.