Turkey has always had a strong desire to stand on its own when it comes to defense. But with the KAAN fifth-generation fighter jet, that ambition has taken on new momentum. Looking to replace its aging F-16 fleet and cut reliance on foreign suppliers, Turkey is moving quickly to reposition itself in the international aerospace scene. The KAAN jet is not merely a device—it is rapidly becoming an icon of national pride and a central figure in future military aviation.
The history behind the KAAN, formerly TF-X, lies in both challenge and opportunity. When the United States excluded Turkey from the F-35 fighter jet program in 2019—mainly because Ankara purchased Russian S-400 missile systems—it created a significant void in Turkey’s air power strategy. Rather than backing off, Turkish leaders pushed more into the vision of developing an advanced fighter of their own.
Serious development began in 2010, spearheaded by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), with technical advice from international partners such as BAE Systems and SAAB. Initially, a long-term vision, it soon became a top national imperative. By 2022, the KAAN had developed into a program with over 90% domestic production—a definite indicator of Turkey’s drive towards self-sufficiency in sensitive defense technologies. Many analysts now see this shift as placing Turkey within a small group of countries with the capability to design and build modern fighter jets on their terms.
Technologically, KAAN is going for the high jump. As a fifth-generation, full-spectrum multirole fighter, it also has provisions to bring in future sixth-generation capabilities. The plane maintains a stealth profile by hiding the weapons in internal bays, but it still retains the ability to carry payloads externally when necessary. Roketsan, Turkey’s lead missile manufacturer, is adapting next-generation smart munitions to fit within the internal compartments of the jet, keeping it off enemy radar.
The electronic systems of the jet are equally sophisticated. Its onboard sensors include the MURAD AESA radar, designed by Turkish defense electronics company ASELSAN. The system is capable of locking onto multiple targets, automatically identifying threats, more effectively guiding missiles, and even assisting in jamming enemy signals. Pilots will also get to enjoy infrared search capability and advanced electro-optical targeting capability, providing them with greater awareness and accuracy in combat.
Missile integration is an important aspect of the game plan. Roketsan is tailoring its cruise missiles—such as the Cakir and SOM series—not only for the KAAN, but to be used in conjunction with Turkey’s upcoming drone force, including the Kizilelma unmanned fighter aircraft. Air-to-air missiles such as the Gökdoğan and Bozdoğan, plus the SOM-J ground attack missile, are already scheduled to be used with the fighter, contributing to the development of KAAN as a central component of Turkey’s next-generation defense puzzle.
Time is of the essence, and TAI isn’t waiting. The initial prototype flew in February 202, startlingly ahead of original schedules. TAI executives state that full flight testing will be underway by 2026, with five additional prototypes in rapid succession. All six planes will undergo thousands of flight hours to work out the last design kinks and get performance certified. The target? Start deliveries to the Turkish air force by 2028, with the first batch of 20 jets, followed by mass production between 2030 and 2033. While the first models will employ U.S.-made F110-GE-129 engines, work is being done to move to an indigenous powerplant—the TF35000—in later variants.
Internationally, KAAN is already making waves. Its largest deal arrived in mid-2025, when Indonesia signed on to purchase 48 fighters over ten years. This is not a sale—it involves below-the-line technology-sharing and indigenous production work in Southeast Asia, indicating that Turkey is eager to export planes and know-how. TAI considers this deal a big stepping stone, one that could open doors across Asia.
Azerbaijan is also on board as a production partner, joining the program in 2023 with finances and long-term commitment. Pakistan has also shown keen interest, with its hundreds of engineers reportedly engaged in design and systems development. Even Saudi Arabia, a longtime chief purchaser of Western defense systems, is looking to purchase up to 100 KAAN jets in the face of growing frustrations with delivery delays from its traditional partners. Analysts view Riyadh’s interest as motivated by capability requirements as well as Riyadh’s ambitions to develop a local defense industry through technology transfer.
Aside from these core players, the likes of Malaysia and Ukraine have been proffered as possible buyers or partners, indicating KAAN’s growing credibility as a credible alternative to both Western and Russian fifth-gen fighters. At the center of all this is Turkey’s greater vision: to be a defense player who needs nobody else. The KAAN is not about having a new jet; it’s about creating a future where Turkey can compete on the world stage, make cutting-edge tech within its borders, and have more sway in regional and global security issues.
One key component of this plan is integrating manned and unmanned platforms into a combined force. TAI has already begun ensuring that KAAN can be easily integrated with drones such as the Anka III and Kizilelma, laying the foundation for manned-unmanned team combat and more intelligent, more responsive air operations. Of course, this path is not without obstacles. Constructing a stealth aircraft is hugely costly and technologically challenging. To remain on schedule, Turkey will have to maintain costs in check, find additional export partners, and ensure the tricky commitments of technology sharing and maintenance support. Defense analyst Can Kasapoglu comments that in order for the program to stay viable, the KAAN will have to scale quickly to global markets and demonstrate dependability under actual combat conditions.
Testing and validation will be paramount. The jet must perform repeatedly over a variety of missions, and domestic and international buyers will be paying close attention. But if current trends hold true, Turkey might very well be setting itself up not only as a buyer of advanced assets but also as a seller. As the KAAN project picks up pace, the nation is already forging what the future of air combat could be for itself and others.