I have seen some comments about Mr. Kotil's ''2028'' statements and I felt the need to explain some things about TF-X's engine development process.
Firstly, the engine to be developed will have nothing to do with the F110.
We are not trying to build a clone of F110.
Even if we try, from the design to the mass production process lasts at least 10 years. Spending 10 years and billions of dollars for 80s technology doesn't make sense at all while we have the capabilities to build indigenously with stealth characteristics.
Secondly, a couple of years ago (January 2020), the TRMotor company general manager had said that the engine of TF-X will be started up by 2026-2027.
Since that time, the shares of TRMotor passed to the TEI and they have been working together. (April 2022)
Also, the general manager of the TEI said that over 200 engineers have been working on TF-X engine though the engine development project hasn't been started officially. (March 2023)
So, there is nothing wrong or unrealistic with Mr. Kotil's statements.
He is talking about the engine's test, flight and certification processes which probably will last at least 4 years just like the TS1400. (that is why we want F110 engines for the first two squadrons TF-X)
Additionally, people must avoid comparing Turkey with Russia or China. It is not a valid comparison.
*Some important notes:
-Turkey has been using West-made technologies and platforms for decades.
-TEI has been producing high-tech engine parts for GE, Boeing, Airbus etc. for years.
-TEI has been servicing the engines of NATO aircrafts for 20 years. (also for some other countries)
-TEI has been producing the GE T700 engines locally for T70 helicopters and they can produce GE F110 engines too. Even producing an engine under license requires serious know-how.
-Some parts of the F135 engine would be produced by Kale company. Everything was ready.
-Kale has gained serious design and manufacturing capabilities for turbojet engines. KTJ engine family is serious proof of that.
See, there is a strict difference in that Turkey has direct access to high-tech and know-how as we are not isolated from Western technologies like Russia or China. We have design, manufacturing and test capabilities.
We have seen different kinds of aerial engines like PD-170, TS-1400, KTJ-1750/KTJ-3200/KTJ-3700, TF-6000/TF-10000 and those are just beginning.