Eurofighter Typhoon is Coming, is HÜRJET Going to the UK?
HÜRJET offers a ready and viable option for the UK. However, the UK may request the integration of a Rolls-Royce or EJ200 engine instead of HÜRJET's current GEF404 engine in order to support its own industry.
Turkey has signed an agreement with the UK to purchase Eurofighter Typhoons. With this agreement in the spotlight, a new question is being raised in aviation expert circles: Will HÜRJET go to the UK in exchange for this agreement? The history of defence industry cooperation between the two countries, mutual technology exchange and strategic partnership potential make this possibility seem quite plausible.
The UK will evaluate the HÜRJET, developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), as a candidate to replace its current BAE Hawk training jets. This is because the modernisation of the Hawks is no longer planned, and the fleet is expected to be phased out gradually. In this process, the UK's priority is to have an effective, modern and cost-efficient advanced jet training platform that will prepare pilots for the Eurofighter and F-35s in its inventory and for the 6th generation fighter aircraft (TEMPEST) it will design and manufacture.
At this point, HÜRJET offers a ready and viable option for the UK. However, the UK may request the integration of a Rolls-Royce or EJ200 engine instead of HÜRJET's current GEF404 engine in order to support its own industry. Such a change would be a logical step in terms of logistical compatibility, maintenance infrastructure, and local industry participation. Furthermore, the UK may request access to certain source codes or limited technology sharing for integration and security compliance reasons.
HÜRJET's flexible structure, which includes both advanced jet training and light attack versions, can fully meet the UK's operational needs. Thus, the aircraft would not only be a training platform but would also have light attack capabilities that could be used in specific missions. Moreover, with the mutual approval of Turkey and the UK, the export of the armed HÜRJET version to third countries could provide strategic and economic advantages for both countries.
Designing and manufacturing a new jet is a long, costly and risky process. In contrast, integrating and adapting its own systems into an upgraded HÜRJET platform, in partnership with the Turkish aerospace industry led by TAI and British companies such as BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce, with whom the UK already has good relations, would offer a much faster and more efficient solution.
Consequently, while the EF Typhoon is coming to Turkey, the possibility of the HÜRJET going to the UK is emerging as a logical, feasible, and increasingly probable scenario on technical, strategic, and political grounds. A new collaboration may be taking shape in the skies: the Eurofighter Typhoon is coming, but is the HÜRJET heading to the UK?
