12.06.2025 14:31
The 5th generation fighter jet KAAN, developed by TUSAŞ, achieved export success one year after its first flight. The KAAN is expected to enter the inventory of the Turkish Air Force by the end of 2028, with deliveries to Indonesia planned for the 2030s. This sale received significant coverage in the global press, with the Greece-based newspaper Kathimerini announcing it to its readers as "A first."
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TUSAŞ (Turkish Aerospace Industries Inc.) initiated the KAAN project to produce a fighter jet designed and developed with domestic capabilities in line with the needs of the Turkish Air Force Command. The project includes capabilities in technology areas such as low visibility, internal weapons bay, high maneuverability, enhanced situational awareness, and sensor fusion, which are essential for a next-generation aircraft. Thus, Turkey has positioned itself among the limited number of countries in the world that have the infrastructure and technology to produce a 5th generation combat aircraft, alongside the USA, Russia, and China.
The national combat aircraft KAAN, which made its first flight on February 21, 2024, remained in the air for 13 minutes, reaching an altitude of 8,000 feet and a speed of 230 knots during this flight. KAAN conducted its second test flight on May 6, 2024, and stayed airborne for 14 minutes, reaching an altitude of 10,000 feet and a speed of 230 knots. KAAN achieves superior air dominance with increased air-to-air combat range with new weapons, precise and direct strikes from internal weapon bays at high/supersonic speeds, and enhanced combat power supported by artificial intelligence and neural networks.
DELIVERY IN 2028
While the new prototype development studies and test processes of KAAN continue, the completion of the second prototype is planned for the end of this year, with its first flight expected at the beginning of 2026. By the end of 2026, the development of the 3rd prototype, and a total of 6 prototypes, is planned to be completed, with test flights to be finished by 2028. The national combat aircraft KAAN will be delivered to the Air Force Command by the end of 2028. The national combat aircraft will also be operated with a domestic engine in the 2030s.
PROVIDING SUPERIOR CAPABILITIES
The 5th generation multirole fighter aircraft KAAN provides superior capabilities for both air-to-air and air-to-ground combat requirements. TUSAŞ's strong and agile platform KAAN stands out as a 'warrior' with its intelligent and powerful combat capabilities. The cockpit design of KAAN, developed using the most advanced engineering tools and methods, aims to minimize the pilot's workload while considering the capabilities and equipment that 5th generation fighter jets should possess. During the design process, the physical, cognitive, and environmental factors affecting the pilot were taken into account to develop a cockpit environment that enhances the pilot's situational awareness.
AGREEMENT WITH INDONESIA
At the INDO Defence 2025 fair held in Indonesia, an agreement was reached for the sale of the national combat aircraft KAAN, designed, developed, and produced by Turkey with national capabilities, to Indonesia. Under the agreement, 48 units of the KAAN 5th generation fighter aircraft will be delivered to Indonesia. The delivery of the 48 units of the national combat aircraft KAAN will take place within 120 months. The KAAN aircraft to be delivered will include engines produced with national capabilities.
KAAN AGREEMENT IN FOREIGN PRESS
Turkey's announcement of the sale of the 5th generation national combat aircraft KAAN to Indonesia received extensive coverage in the world press. Bloomberg reported that a memorandum of understanding regarding the procurement of the 5th generation fighter aircraft was signed, citing a statement from the office of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. The report used the headline 'Erdoğan aims for Turkey to achieve a leading position.' Bloomberg also noted that Turkey increased its defense spending by 12% to $25 billion in 2023, stating that 'President Erdoğan aims for Turkey to achieve a leading position in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and armored vehicles, in addition to the KAAN project.' The Greece-based Kathimerini newspaper reported that this export is a world first for a 5th generation fighter aircraft in the development phase. The report emphasized that 'the agreement is an important step in the increasingly strengthening economic and defense cooperation between Turkey and Indonesia.' The Economic Times also reported that Turkey's defense export revenue reached $7.1 billion in 2024 and that KAAN could play a significant role in this increase.
TUSAŞ'S 'KAAN' SHARING
Meanwhile, TUSAŞ shared a post on its social media account today regarding the national combat aircraft KAAN. The post included images from the production phase and test flight of the national combat aircraft KAAN, with the statement, 'That day the sky was silent, until its voice was heard.'
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