Rolls-Royce, Turkey's Kale Group sign deal

By Can Erozden

ISTANBUL (AA) - World-famous U.K-based engineering firm Rolls-Royce on Monday signed a deal with Turkey’s Kale Group -- a defense and aerospace business -- to produce aircraft engines.

Rolls-Royce said the two companies will establish a joint firm to produce engines for Turkey, particularly for Ankara’s fighter-jet project -- the TF-X.

Kale Group will own 51 percent of the new joint venture, with Rolls-Royce accounting for the remainder.

The deal was signed by Kale Group Deputy CEO Osman Okyay and Rolls-Royce Defence Aerospace President Chris Cholerton in Istanbul.

"Today we are very pleased and proud to be uniting our energy with one of the biggest jet engine makers of the world. This partnership is a milestone in the development of the aerospace and defense industries of Turkey", Okyay said.

"We are delighted to announce this new joint venture and to have the opportunity to work together with Kale to develop the national engine for TF-X", Cholerton said.

Having more than 5,000 employees in 17 companies, Turkey's Kale Group celebrates its 60th anniversary this year.

The group entered into the defense and aerospace industry in 1987 and it is a primary partner in these industries in Turkey.

This is the second major aerospace deal involving the U.K. in 2017. In January this year, British premier Theresa May visited Ankara ahead of a $130-million deal between the U.K. and Turkey involving BAE Systems in the construction of the TF-X fighter jet.