British aerospace company Rolls-Royce has terminated its participation in Turkey's TF-X national fighter jet program following prolonged disagreements over intellectual property rights and joint venture terms, sources familiar with the matter revealed.
A 2017 defense agreement between Britain and Turkey outlined a £100 million ($133 million) collaboration involving Rolls-Royce and Turkey's Kale Group to develop aircraft engines for the indigenous fighter jet initiative. However, negotiations stalled in 2018 due to conflicts regarding technology sharing and the role of a Qatari-Turkish entity, according to the Financial Times.
Despite Turkish Defence Industry Director Ismail Demir stating in 2018 that international engine manufacturers remained welcome in the project, Rolls-Royce has effectively withdrawn from the bid. The company has not commented on the development, while Kale Group also declined to respond to requests for clarification.
A 2015 image of a Rolls-Royce aerospace facility in Bristol, Britain, was included in related reporting.
