Rolls-Royce and Kale Group of Turkey have announced the formation of a joint venture company to target aero engine opportunities in Turkey. The establishment of the joint venture is subject to the usual legal approvals.

Kale Group will own 51 per cent and Rolls-Royce 49 per cent of the JV, which aims to develop aircraft engines for Turkey, initially targeting the TF-X National Fighter Jet Project. The agreement was signed at a ceremony in Istanbul on 8th May attended by Osman Okyay, Deputy CEO of Kale Group and Chris Cholerton, Rolls-Royce, President - Defence Aerospace.

The move follows the agreement between BAE Systems and Turkish Aerospace Industries, announced in January, to collaborate on the first development phase of TF-X, Turkey's indigenous fifth-generation fighter project.

Kale Group, a $1bn conglomerate, entered the defence and aerospace industry in 1987 and is a tier one supplier for a number of global defence and aerospace companies. It is the contractor for the Turbojet engine development project to produce domestic aircraft engines.

Kale Group also has a joint venture with Pratt & Whitney — Kale Pratt & Whitney Uçak Motorları Sanayi A.Ş. — which produces parts for the F-135 engine that powers the F-35.