In parallel to the advanced manufacturing technologies it has, TEI carries out planned activities to accomplish its target of domestically-made engine with an indigenous design, in line with its mission of becoming a leading engine company globally. The company started R&D operations in 1996, with the J85 Ejector System Development Project, carried out together with GE Aerospace. In 2003, TEI entered into an Industrial Cooperation Agreement with ITP to carry out design, development engineering and production activities for the TP400-D6 engine to power A400M Military Transport Aircraft.

Having started design and development activities of turbojet and turboprop gas turbine engines, usable in Unmanned Aerial Vehicle and Target Drone applications, in 2004, and continuing its design activities for UAV engines, TEI has recently extended its operations to cover piston engines, as well.

TEI allocates some 10% of its annual revenue to R&D studies; and the share it allocates to R&D investments increases as its annual revenue rises every year. As a result of its strong focus on research and development activities, TEI was selected as the Best R&D Center in Aviation by the Ministry of Science, Industry and Technology two times in a row.