29.09.2025 08:44
SSB President Haluk Görgün clarified the discussions regarding the engine of the KAAN fighter jet. Görgün stated that the future of the aircraft is not dependent on a single country and that the work is progressing as planned.
The President of the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB), Prof. Dr. Haluk Görgün, clarified discussions regarding the National Combat Aircraft KAAN and its engine development efforts. Görgün emphasized that the future of the aircraft is not dependent on a single country's engine and that the domestic engine development process is continuing as planned.
DOMESTIC ENGINE WORKS ARE PROGRESSING AS PLANNED Görgün reported that development activities for KAAN's main engine TF35000 and auxiliary power unit APU60 are ongoing, noting that the process is progressing in phases, as is the case with defense industry projects. He stated that the process would start with existing engines, followed by the integration of domestic engines. He expressed that KAAN is being gradually developed with strengthened versions at different stages using a "block approach."
PROTOTYPE ENGINES DELIVERED Görgün mentioned that the necessary engines for KAAN prototype aircraft have been procured and delivered to Turkey, and he noted that production efforts are progressing rapidly. He reminded that an official engine application has been made to the USA for the first block of KAAN aircraft. He emphasized that domestic engine development activities are progressing according to the planned schedule.
Haluk Görgün "ENGINE CHANGE IS POSSIBLE IF NEEDED" Görgün stated that an engine change for the first block is possible if needed, which would affect engineering efforts but would not create a scheduling disadvantage for the project. He noted that the projects are managed with an "Agile Systems Engineering" approach, emphasizing that KAAN will fly with a domestic engine in the final series production.
"SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE IN TWO YEARS" Addressing past delays in the domestic engine development process, Görgün expressed that significant progress has been made in the last two years. He reported that the TF6000 turbofan engine has been successfully operated for ANKA-III, the development process for TF10000 for KIZILELMA is ongoing, and work on the TF35000 engine for KAAN is continuing.
ENGINES TO BE EXPORTED TO INDONESIA WILL BE DOMESTIC Görgün stated that the 48 fifth-generation KAAN fighter jets planned to be exported to Indonesia will be powered by domestic engines, saying, "We trust our engineers in this noble cause. With the leadership and support of our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, we are working with all our strength to bring KAAN and its domestic engine to our country."