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Turkey has asked the US for permission to co-produce GE Aerospace engines used in F-16 jets, with an aim to deploy them for its own domestically produced fighter plane, Bloomberg reports.

The NATO member is looking to manufacture GE’s F110 engines in Turkey to ensure supplies for the initial phase of TAI Kaan, an all-weather fighter jet scheduled to make its maiden flight in January 2024, according to people familiar with the matter. The fifth-generation aircraft is under development by Turkish Aerospace Industries with help from the UK’s BAE Systems Plc.

Turkey sees Kaan planes utilizing two F110 engines until the country is able to develop its own version, said the people, who asked not to be identified as the matter is confidential.

US officials in Ankara and Turkey’s government declined to comment.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has made modernizing the country’s aging air force a top priority. That’s gained urgency since its expulsion from the program to procure and support Lockheed Martin Corp.’s advanced F-35 fighter jets in 2019, following Turkey’s acquisition of Russian S-400 air defense missiles, which the US says could compromise the F-35’s stealth capabilities.

Earlier this week, Turkey took a step closer to approving Sweden’s accession into NATO as requested by US President Joe Biden. A timely backing of the Nordic nation’s membership in the alliance was a US condition attached to the sale of 40 new F-16 Block 70 aircraft and 79 kits by Lockheed Martin. Turkey is anticipating the move may also facilitate a positive response to its F110 engine request.

Turkey plans to retire its F-4 jets and upgrade its F-16 fleet as a stopgap measure before Kaan becomes operational. The country is also seeking to acquire Eurofighter jets.

“Turkey aims to have its domestic aircraft engine ready in 2028,” Defense Minister Yasar Guler recently told reporters.