SOURCE: AFI
Turkey is reportedly planning to procure 100 F404 engines from GE Aerospace to power its new Hurjet light fighter jet. The move highlights Turkey’s efforts to bolster its domestic aerospace capabilities while securing advanced propulsion technology for its indigenous aircraft programs. Additionally, Turkey has also requested that the more powerful F110 engines be manufactured domestically to meet its growing defence needs.
The Hurjet, which uses an F404-GE-102 afterburning turbofan engine generating 78 kN of thrust, is Turkey’s ambitious light fighter and advanced jet trainer project. The aircraft is expected to serve both training and combat roles, with the F404 engine at its core. This engine choice aligns with global trends for light fighter jets, but the large procurement of 100 units shows Turkey’s determination to accelerate the program and ensure reliable engine supply.
In contrast, India has been facing challenges in securing its share of F404 engines from GE Aerospace for its Tejas Mk1A fighter jet program. The Tejas Mk1A is powered by the F404-GE-IN20 engine, which is the highest thrust variant in the F404 family, generating 84 kN. The Indian Air Force’s Tejas program has been impacted by delays in engine deliveries, partly due to global supply chain issues and increasing demand for GE engines.
Despite these challenges, India’s relationship with GE Aerospace remains crucial as the Tejas Mk1A program depends on a steady supply of F404 engines. However, the increasing demand from other countries, like Turkey, for the same engine family adds further pressure on GE Aerospace to expand its production capacity.
The F404 engine family has a long history, having powered iconic aircraft like the F/A-18 Hornet. However, the U.S. Navy gradually reduced orders for the F404 after shifting to the newer F414 engines to power the F/A-18 Super Hornet. The F414, with greater thrust and improved efficiency, became the preferred choice for modern fighter jets, reducing the demand for F404 engines.
That said, the F404 engine program has been given a new lease on life due to increasing demand from international clients. Besides Turkey’s Hurjet, the F404 engine will also power Boeing and Saab’s T-7A Red Hawk, the U.S. Air Force’s next-generation trainer aircraft. Additionally, GE Aerospace has continued to supply F404 engines to Korea for its T-50 advanced jet trainer, another aircraft reliant on this engine family.
The renewed demand for F404 engines has prompted GE Aerospace to expand production, a notable turnaround for an engine program that was nearing obsolescence. The engine’s performance, reliability, and adaptability for light fighter and trainer aircraft make it an attractive choice for nations like Turkey, which are developing indigenous combat platforms.