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Turkey’s KAAN fighter aircraft could soon challenge the U.S.-made F-35 stealth jet in arms sales to emerging economies by offering a more affordable alternative.
In late July, Turkey sealed its first export deal with Indonesia for 48 planes. This marks an expansion of Turkey’s defense industry into the global market. The Turkish Foreign Ministry did not respond to a written request for comment.
Why It Matters
Turkey’s domestically developed fifth-generation stealth fighter represents a significant shift toward self-reliance in defense technology. Previously relying on Western military tech, Turkey is now making strides in fields traditionally dominated by countries like the United States, Russia, and China.
Its arms industry has gained traction after the early success of the Bayraktar TB2 drone, used by Ukraine against Russia.
The KAAN fighter, developed by state-owned Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), aims to replace Turkey’s aging F-16 fleet. According to TAI leadership, it is expected to be more affordable than the U.S.-made F-35 made by Lockheed Martin.
In 2019, Turkey was excluded from the F-35 program following its purchase of S-400 missile systems from Russia. This marked a move towards strategic autonomy under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Before the split, Turkish firms built over 900 F-35 parts, gaining valuable experience in stealth and aerospace technology.
Interest in the KAAN has increased since its first test flight in 2024. Reports suggest Egypt may be the next participant in the jet program, though no official statements have been made by Cairo or Ankara.
Turkey’s deal with Indonesia was announced by Erdogan in June. The agreement with Jakarta, which has a history of using NATO equipment in its armed forces, showcases Turkey’s domestic defense industry progress, according to Erdogan.
America’s Gulf partners also show interest in the KAAN, but Washington remains reluctant to transfer advanced systems due to Israel’s military edge concerns.
Erdogan still desires F-35 jets for the Turkish air force and recently announced progress in talks with U.S. President Donald Trump, raising concerns in Israel.
Rear Admiral (retired) Mark Montgomery of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies wrote: “Turkey should not get access to U.S. F-35 sales until it destroys or returns the S-400 air defense missile system and publicly renounces support for Hamas.”
President Prabowo Subianto of Indonesia stated, “Indonesia wants to participate in the development of the ‘KAAN’ fifth-generation fighter jet and submarine development with Turkish industry.”
Can Kasapoglu, a senior nonresident fellow at the Hudson Institute, wrote: “Another natural target for Turkey’s multirole combat solution would be militaries that want to replace their Soviet-era remnants with a defense ecosystem aligned with NATO standards, such as the non-NATO former Soviet space.”
Turkey aims to begin operational deployment of the KAAN fighter by 2028.
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