“UK has lifted ALL defence export restrictions for Turkey”.
As of today all of the restrictions are now lifted and no defence article license request is awaiting confirmation and it seems that the collaboration between TAI and BAE Systems, and Rolls Royce and Kale is going to intensify to bring TFX project closer to reality quicker.
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We will probably hear soon more about RR involvement in the Engine development for TF-X. I think the main topics that were discussed with Demir in UK were 1. RR and 2. A possible participation of Turkey in the Tempest program. I do not think Demir would travel to the UK just for RR and being told they are lifting all embargos. There is a deeper story here. Maybe even one that includes the Eurofighter, which I don't believe though.
Do not forget the UK is still looking for further partners as to ease the burden of the program and lower its costs. Turkey is one the few countries with an developed and experienced aerospace industry civilian and military. We would make the perfect partner in the program. Before anyone says "but sweden", there is a zero percent chance UK has given the right to veto to Sweden in the program.
Also I think we would benefit immensely from it too. Know-How gained through the Tempest project could be applied to future Blocks of the TF-X. The one downside for some would probably be the fact that we would have to buy a certain amount of Tempest fighters. But I think it would be worth it.
With RR we could see a prototype engine on probably half a decade and a serial production ready one in a decade maybe even under it. Starting the TF-X serial production in the 2030s with our own engine would give a immense boost in possible exports before the first serial production plane even rolls of the line. Not only that it would defend us against any possible delays due to the US blocking engines for the serial production. Inductin the TF-X without any hiccups would relief the pressure building on the Air Force. Easy Exports would finance the further modification of the plane and R&D.
