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F35 jet engine parts factory opens in Turkey

Türkiye Materials 7 June 2014 10:04 (UTC +04:00)
F35 jet engine parts factory opens in Turkey
F35 jet engine parts factory opens in Turkey

Turkish President Abdullah Gul has inaugurated a factory in western Turkey that will produce engine parts for the F35 fighter jet, a highly sophisticated combat aircraft Anadolu Agency reported

The inauguration ceremony in Izmir province on Friday hosted President Gul and Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci, as well as officials from U.S.-based Pratt & Whitney and Turkey's Kale Group, cofounders of the factory.

President Gul said the ceremony did "not merely mark the opening of an ordinary industrial factory."

"This type of manufacturing means a more developed industry and a rise in standards for Turkey. We are proud to see that the number of such facilities in Turkey has increased," Gul said.

The president added that he hoped the factory would grow and lead to more advanced domestic production.

In his keynote speech at the ceremony, Economy Minister Zeybekci said he was proud of the factory's establishment.

He said that the factory would create an opportunity to boost production capabilities of the Turkey aviation sector, thanking the investors for choosing Turkey.

"F35 fighter jets are the most sophisticated and modern warplanes. This investment not only contributes to our economy in terms of production, know-how and technology, but it will also help reduce the current account deficit," Zeybekci said.

The minister praised Turkey's development over the last decade, during which time the country has seen rapid economic development.

Turkey now boasts over ten thousand dollars per capita in gross domestic product, as well as yearly exports worth upwards of $140 billion, Zeybekci said.

"Turkey presents a stable environment for foreign direct investors during a period which has seen many regions of the world go through economic and political instability," Zeybekci said.

F-35s are a family of advanced fighter jets with the capability of avoiding radar detection.

The factory in Izmir will produce some of its critical engine components, which will then be assembled in the U.S.

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