ANKARA \u2014 European engine-maker Eurojet Turbo may find a role in powering what would become Turkey’s first indigenous fighter jet, industry sources and analysts said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They said a critical Turkish decision to select a twin-engine model for the fighter jet the country hopes to design, develop and manufacture could be a sign that the European consortium could power the Turkish aircraft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“That decision reflects a natural compatibility with Eurojet’s EJ200,” said one senior aerospace official. “It may not be a coincidence that Turkey decided to go for a twin-engine model.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Turkey’s top procurement panel, the Defense Industry Executive Committee, decided Jan. 7 to move on to the “pre-design” phase in the country’s bid to build an indigenous fighter jet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, chairman of the committee, told reporters after the meeting that a twin-engine model would be pursued in the national fighter aircraft program, dubbed the TFX.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Shortly after that decision, o<\/span>On Jan. 20, defense electronics specialist Aselsan, Turkey’s biggest <\/span>largest defense company, and Eurojet announced that <\/span>they had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU). <\/p>\n\n\n\n Aselsan said the purpose of the MoU is “to pave the way for further discussions to explore potential opportunities for business collaboration on engine control units, health and usage monitoring systems and software development projects relat[ed]<\/span> [related] to the EJ200 engine program.“<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n