Turkey announces first national jet project

Turkey has officially launched a project to build its first national fighter aircraft, according to a statement Tuesday by the Undersecretariat for the Defense Industry, or SSM, and the Turkish Aerospace Industries, or TAI. The project also includes the design and development of a training jet, said TAI general manager Muharrem Dortkasli. "We are starting the project of developing a national fighter aircraft," Dortkasli told and said: "Along with [state-run] Havelsan, Aselsan and Roketsan, companies from the private sector, institutes, and universities will contribute to the project. (…) This is going to be a national project."