Lost in translation, I guess! I do understand your point, and it would make great sense if T-629 was a government oriented (or funded) project to start with. This is where it turns out to be pretty confusing, because Prof. Aksit’s words indicate a clear government initiative for a “go ahead” for the project. The entire program was introduced as “export oriented”, and not for official demand, and that TAI would use internal revenues for R&D. And when you take this into consideration, it would be logical to assume that T-629 project (along with militarization of the TS engine) will run in parallel with other (urgent or not) projects under TAI and TEI, or am missing something here
I am afraid you are a little bit.
TAI is the company that will produce the T-629 if required. But it needs an order from SSB (Under Secretariat of Defence Presidency) to go ahead. Then TAI will ask TEI to manufacture a number of “militarised“ TS-1400 prototype engines.
TEI, at the end of the day, is a profit based private company like TAI, as you have rightly pointed out. They will not produce a new engine unless they have received an order from TAI/SSB.
Prof Aksit says “if our government asks us to produce a militarised engine we will do so”. As you have said, it is indicative of government orientated project.
TAI will not carry on with production of T-629, unless SSB gives them the green light. But as T-129 is already in production and it has a license agreement that extends to 2028, TAI may feel not in a hurry. Especially, since in the meantime T-929 is being developed.
On paper T-629 is going to be superior to T-129. But is it more important to channel, already restricted funds to a light attack helicopter or focus on it’s big brother?