Turkey Orders Sixth Prototype of KAAN Fifth-Generation Fighter Jet

The Presidency of Defense Industries (Savunma Sanayii Başkanlığı, SSB) has announced that Turkey has ordered the sixth prototype of its domestically developed KAAN fighter jet.

According to Ulusavunma dot com, this latest order will allow Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) to carry out a series of critical test phases in parallel, including wind tunnel experiments, environmental stress tests, avionics validation, high-speed taxi tests, and runway tests. These activities are considered crucial in preparing KAAN for production and integration into the Turkish Air Force.

In a statement, the SSB stated that deliveries of the fifth-generation KAAN fighter jet to the Turkish Air Force will begin in stages following the initial prototype, with each production block incorporating increasingly advanced capabilities.

One of the most important milestones of the program is the integration of the fully domestically developed engine. This integration process, according to Turkish defense officials, is proceeding as scheduled. Future iterations of the Block 30 and Block 40 are scheduled to use this indigenous engine, with flight tests and validation planned as the technology matures.

The KAAN project, originally launched in 2010, has become a cornerstone of Turkey's efforts to achieve defense self-sufficiency and reduce reliance on foreign systems. The aircraft is designed as a twin-engine stealth fighter capable of supersonic speeds and advanced combat maneuverability.

Globally, only a handful of countries possess fifth-generation fighter aircraft. The United States leads the way with the F-22 Raptor and its growing fleet of F-35 Lightning II jets. China and Russia follow with their J-20, J-35, and Su-57 programs. Turkey's KAAN, according to observers, represents a credible effort by a NATO member to develop a comparable platform.

The KAAN features a stealthy airframe with an internal weapons bay, advanced avionics, and a projected maximum speed approaching Mach 2. Its combat range is expected to exceed 1,000 kilometers, enabling it to carry out both air superiority and strike missions.

Turkey's accelerated development of the KAAN follows its 2019 suspension from the US F-35 program due to Ankara's purchase of the Russian S-400 air defense system. This gap forced Turkey to redouble its efforts in developing its indigenous fighter, originally designed to complement the F-35's capabilities.

In 2024, the first KAAN prototype completed a successful maiden flight two years ahead of schedule, flying for 13 minutes over Ankara. Turkish officials hailed this achievement as a breakthrough in the country's aerospace ambitions.

The aircraft's future production block is expected to transition from the US-made General Electric F110 engine to a Turkish-developed one. Turkish Aerospace Industries has also partnered with BAE Systems to provide technical support during the early design phase, although the program will largely continue to use domestic engines.

Ankara hopes to position the KAAN as a potential export platform for countries seeking advanced fighter technology outside the US sphere of influence. Reports indicate that countries such as Azerbaijan, Indonesia, and even Ukraine have expressed interest in the aircraft as they look to modernize their air forces.

For Turkey, the KAAN represents more than just technological prowess. It aligns with Ankara's broader geopolitical strategy to expand its influence in the Middle East, Central Asia, and Africa, while maintaining its role as a key NATO member.

The gradual development and integration of the KAAN into the Turkish Air Force is projected to continue until the early 2030s, with full operational capability expected by 2035.