Kayseri Aircraft Factory

TOMTAŞ (Tayyare ve Motor Türk Anonim Şirketi) is the first aircraft factory established during the Republic of Türkiye period. It was founded in 1926 in Kayseri through a partnership between the Turkish Aircraft Society and the German-based company Junkers Flugzeug und Motorenwerke A.G. Its founding purpose was to lay the foundation for modern aviation industry in Türkiye and to carry out the production assembly and maintenance of aircraft. TOMTAŞ is the first aviation industry initiative in the history of the Republic.

Establishment Process

One of the significant steps taken in the early years of the Republic in the defense industry was the decision to establish an aircraft factory. The Turkish Aircraft Society, founded on 16 February 1925 (later renamed the Turkish Aeronautical Association), quickly launched a project to build an aircraft production facility to develop aviation activities and meet the needs of the air forces.

To overcome shortages in capital engineering and technical expertise the partnership with the German Junkers company was pursued. Under the agreement Junkers would provide knowledge and technology for aircraft production in Türkiye while the Turkish side would construct the factory and assembly facilities.

Operations

TOMTAŞ officially commenced operations on 6 October 1926. The facility in Kayseri was equipped with technology considered quite modern for its time. In the initial phase assembly of Junkers A-20 and Junkers F-13 aircraft imported from Germany was carried out. Subsequently some components of these aircraft began to be produced using local capabilities.

Between 1926 and 1928 the factory assembled a total of 15 Junkers A-20 and 3 Junkers F-13 aircraft. Maintenance and repair of aircraft engines were also conducted within the factory premises.

End of the Partnership and Takeover

The Junkers company which played a key role in the founding of TOMTAŞ announced in the late 1920s that it could no longer sustain its investments in Türkiye due to economic and political reasons. Additionally collaboration became strained due to disputes over wage disparities and job security between Turkish and German workers.

In 1928 the partnership with Junkers was terminated. Junkers’ shares in TOMTAŞ were acquired by the Turkish Aircraft Society. As a result the factory became a fully domestic institution.

The Kayseri Aircraft Factory Period

After the end of the partnership the factory was reactivated in 1931 under the name Kayseri Aircraft Factory. In the 1930s activities accelerated in line with Türkiye’s national defense industry initiative.

During this period Türkiye not only carried out maintenance and assembly of aircraft purchased abroad but also moved toward licensed production. The Kayseri Aircraft Factory produced under license the French Potez 25 A2 and British Miles Magister aircraft between 1932 and 1939. Additionally assembly and maintenance of PZL-24 fighter aircraft were also conducted there.

Cessation of Factory Operations

Following World War II the Kayseri Aircraft Factory began to lose significance due to changing military strategies and defense collaborations. During the 1940s Türkiye’s defense industry investments were shifted to Ankara and Eskişehir. Consequently aircraft production activities at the Kayseri facility were halted and the site began modernization works to become an Air Supply and Maintenance Center.

Today under the name Kayseri 2nd Air Maintenance Factory Directorate the facility operates within the Turkish Air Forces providing aircraft maintenance repair and modernization services. Indigenous aircraft production in Türkiye continued in subsequent years under the umbrella of the Turkish Aeronautical Association Aircraft Factory (Etimesgut/Ankara) and Turkish Aerospace Industries Inc. (TUSAŞ).

Today’s TOMTAŞ and the Restructuring Process

Reestablishment

TOMTAŞ (Tayyare ve Motor Türk Anonim Şirketi) Türkiye’s first aircraft factory was restructured in 2023 in Kayseri and relaunched as TOMTAŞ Aviation and Technology A.Ş. This new structure was established with participation from Kayseri Metropolitan Municipality Erciyes Teknopark Turkish Aerospace Industries Inc. (TUSAŞ) and various private sector partners.

Areas of Activity

In this new phase TOMTAŞ Aviation and Technology A.Ş. is active in the production assembly and system integration of various domestic and national aviation platforms with the HÜRJET jet trainer and light attack aircraft being the primary focus. The company also plays an active role in aviation electronics avionics systems and precision manufacturing processes.

HÜRJET Project

TOMTAŞ is undertaking key roles in the HÜRJET project Türkiye’s first manned jet-powered aircraft. Under the leadership of TUSAŞ TOMTAŞ contributes to the project by:

• Producing parts and components for HÜRJET
• Carrying out assembly activities
• Developing and integrating the aircraft’s computer and avionics systems

Hürjet (AA)

Aviation and Space Sciences High School

On the same site in Kayseri where the Tayyare ve Motor Anonim Şirketi (TOMTAŞ) the first aircraft factory of Türkiye was established in 1926 the Aviation and Space Sciences High School is being constructed. This modern educational facility located in the Erenköy neighborhood of Kayseri is architecturally designed in the shape of an aircraft. The high school is planned to begin accepting students in 2025.

Aviation and Space Sciences High School (AA)