Spain is planning to purchase 15 additional Hurjet trainer aircraft from Türkiye after signing an agreement for 30 jets, Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) CEO Mehmet Demiroglu has said.
Speaking at an event in Türkiye’s northern province of Kastamonu, Demiroglu said deliveries to Spain were expected to begin in 2028.
“Before we even started deliveries to our Air Force, Spain said, ‘We like it, we want to buy 30,’ and bought them. We signed the agreement,” he said. “We are working towards deliveries in 2028. They are planning to buy another 15.”
Demiroglu also highlighted TAI’s production capabilities, saying its campus brings together work on the Kaan combat aircraft, Hurjet and Hurkus aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles, satellites and aircraft components.
The facility conducts testing and production across six fields, he said, describing it as a source of national pride.
Demiroglu said deliveries of the Hurkus aircraft had begun and would continue in the coming years. He identified Azerbaijan as an export destination and said the company aimed to secure further overseas sales.
Demiroglu said Türkiye’s defence industry had strengthened the country’s international standing and generated growing global interest in its technology.
“In the 2020s, particularly with the successes in the defence industry, tremendous admiration for Türkiye has emerged around the world,” he said. “They admire our products, what we do and our achievements.”
‘We are building it so we don’t have to use it’
He described deterrence as a central objective of Türkiye’s defence programmes, including the Kaan combat aircraft.
“We are not working to wage war. We need to work to avoid war,” Demiroglu said, stressing the need to prepare Türkiye’s armed forces and the country for security threats.
“We do not want to use Kaan,” he added. “We are building it so that we do not have to use it.”
Addressing students at the event, Demiroglu encouraged younger generations to develop their skills and learn technologies that would prepare them for the future. He pointed to the expansion of the TEKNOFEST aerospace and technology festivals as helping foster technological ambition.
