Turkey’s first aircraft factory TOMTAŞ Aviation will play a crucial role in the production of the jet training and light attack aircraft HÜRJET thanks to a mega incentive. As the first aircraft factory in Turkey, the reestablished TOMTAŞ Aviation and Technology Inc. will contribute to the production of the jet training and light ground attack aircraft HÜRJET with the support of a “mega incentive.” According to the decision, the investment facility in Kayseri for the training and light ground attack aircraft and the production of ready-to-assemble aircraft parts will be supported in alignment with the Investment Project-Based State Aid Decision (mega incentive). The company will make an approximately 9.5 billion lira fixed investment over the 6-year span starting in 2023. The facility to be established under this investment will directly employ around 1000 people, including 150 skilled workers. Additionally, it will create a high-tech subcontractor ecosystem in the city and surrounding areas. The planned facility will have an annual production capacity for 12 training and light attack aircraft, capable of producing 2016 tons of aircraft parts and 84 main component level aircraft parts annually. With the anticipated demand for HÜRJET in international markets, the yearly capacity is expected to be increased to first 24, then 48 aircraft. As part of the incentive decision for the project, benefits such as customs duty exemption, VAT exception, tax reduction, 10-year employer’s share support for insurance premiums, support for qualified personnel, and investment site allocation will be provided. 100th YEAR ASSEMBLY FACTORY OPENING TOMTAŞ General Manager and Board Member Ali Ekşi stated that they have been working intensively for 2 years to contribute to Turkey’s defense and aviation projects and to achieve exports in this field. Emphasizing that they have made significant progress with infrastructure, education, and certification efforts in a short time, Ekşi reported that, as a result, they signed a contract in October 2024 to be the approved supplier of components for assembly services for 12 aircraft within the HÜRJET project of Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI). Ekşi highlighted that they are proud to be part of the HÜRJET project thanks to the confidence shown to them by TAI. He stated: “We aim to make Kayseri a center for aviation with the strength we receive from TOMTAŞ’s deep-rooted history. HÜRJET will open the door to this. TOMTAŞ was established on August 15, 1925. When we came to receive the Project-Based Incentive Certificate, we also brought a handmade silver pair of scissors from Kayseri. We invited our President to open the HÜRJET Assembly Factory on the company’s 100th anniversary.” HÜRJET WILL TAKE SHAPE IN THIS FACILITY TOMTAŞ was established in January 2023 with a partnership of 51% TOMTAŞ Investment Inc., 29% TAI, 19% ASFAT, and 1% Erciyes Technopark. First, the Metal Cutting Manufacturing Factory was established in the Kayseri Mimarsinan Organized Industrial Zone in June 2023. Last year, R&D and Engineering Offices were set up in Kayseri and Ankara. In the second half of this year, the HÜRJET Assembly Factory will start operating. In 2027, the TOMTAŞ Aviation Campus will be launched next to Kayseri Airport. Within the framework of the contract signed for the HÜRJET Block-I project, TOMTAŞ will provide assembly services for 12 aircraft and 60 component-level assemblies. Consequently, cockpit, central fuselage, rear fuselage, wing boxes, and tail assemblies will begin to be carried out from October and the Block-I contract will be completed in February 2027. The single facility where component-level assemblies of HÜRJET will be carried out will reach the potential to engage in parts production, assembly, maintenance, and repair activities for global aviation companies through the accumulated knowledge and experience. It is expected that TOMTAŞ will surpass the 9.5 billion lira fixed investment amount over 6 years with the steps it will take to reach these goals.