EN TR

Röportaj

From Supplier to Strategic Partner: GE Aerospace’s Evolving Role in TÜRKİYE

In this exclusive conversation with Defence Turkey Magazine, Rita FLAHERTY highlights GE Aerospace’s strategic vision for Türkiye, underlining the company’s decades-long commitment to local talent, technology transfer, and co-development of critical defense platforms such as KAAN and HÜRJET. She explains how GE Aerospace’s independence has enhanced its agility and deepened its partnerships in Türkiye, positioning the country as a vital hub in the company’s global innovation and production network.

Tarih: Issue 141 - July 2025

Defence Turkey: GE Aerospace has been a trusted partner in Turkish aviation for decades. How would you characterize the current state of your collaboration with Türkiye’s aerospace sector?

Rita FLAHERTY: GE Aerospace’s partnership with Türkiye’s aerospace sector is robust, deep-rooted, and continuously evolving. GE Aerospace has been committed to Türkiye for nearly six decades, delivering propulsion systems, engineering solutions, and technological expertise that support both commercial and military platforms. Today, over 500 highly skilled GE Aerospace employees in İstanbul, Ankara and Kocaeli support an installed base of more than 2,300 GE Aerospace and CFM International engines in the commercial and defense sectors. On the defense side, our partnership began when our engines powered the first batch of F-5A/B fighter jets ordered by Turkish Air Force.