British automotive and aviation giant Rolls-Royce is investing big in Turkey's development of an air superiority fighter jet scheduled for introduction in 2023, as well as founding the company's eighth Advanced Manufacturing Technology Centre (AMTC).
The Ministry of Science, Industry and Technology will implement a deal signed with Rolls Royce in December 2015 to develop in cooperation with Turkey's Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK) the AMTC research center in Turkey. The public-private partnership will focus on increasing domestic manufacturing capability and technology transfer in the aerospace sector as well as in the civilian nuclear, marine and industrial sectors. Rolls-Royce is determined to be part of Turkey's 2023 domestic fighter jet project and is willing to undertake the manufacturing of the jet motor in Turkey. To this end, the company opened its eighth AMTC in Turkey following seven others, five of which are in the U.K. while the two others are in the U.S. and Singapore.
Commenting on the issue, Technology Minister Fikri Işık said: "We are starting collaboration with Rolls-Royce, and will completely realize the deal which we recently signed. The research and development will be conducted at AMTC." The AMTC is supported by the National Defense Ministry, the Energy and Natural Resources Ministry, TÜBİTAK and some universities.
Rolls-Royce is keen to produce diesel motors for Turkey's second nuclear power plant, which will be built in Sinop in northern Turkey by a Japanese-French consortium. Rolls-Royce aims to produce equipment and control systems for the plant, together with Turkish industrial firms. Through investments making Rolls-Royce the major motor supplier for national carrier Turkish Airlines, and an intention to similarly produce engines for Turkey's domestic fighter jet program, which is scheduled for introduction in 2023, the company also aims to establish a jet factory in Turkey by 2025. The company is reportedly planning to manufacture parts for the fighter jet, as well as developing and manufacturing products using a 3-D printer.