KAAN, the fifth generation national combat aircraft developed by TAI, continues to resonate in international defense circles with its prototype flights and ongoing test processes. A newer prototype of KAAN, which made its first flight in February 2024, started taxi tests in July. The plane was designed indigenously from scratch and is part of a decades-long effort to establish an independent fighter jet industry, officials said.
Developed with capabilities such as stealth, internal weapons carrying, advanced radar, electronic warfare and sensor fusion, KAAN offered an independent alternative to the US-made F-35 to countries that want to modernize their air fleets. Foreign media noted that KAAN is one of the most concrete indicators of Türkiye's goal of reducing its foreign dependency in the military field.
Qatar's London-based The New Arab news site stated that the KAAN program is more than just a military project, it reflects Türkiye's long-term defense industry goals. It was emphasized that if the aircraft is equipped with domestic engines, radar and electronic warfare systems, Ankara will cross an important threshold in strategic independence. According to The New Arab, if this goal is achieved, KAAN will redefine Türkiye's position in the regional air power balance.
DOMESTIC PRODUCTION TARGETS
One of the most important cornerstones of the KAAN program stands out as the developments in the engine, which is the heart of the aircraft. While KAAN's prototypes and first production versions currently use US-made General Electric F110 engines, Türkiye continues to develop the domestic engine TF35000 with 35 thousand pounds of thrust. TAI reported that the integration of this domestic engine is targeted around 2032.
The New Arab noted that producing an advanced fighter jet engine is particularly difficult. The process, which requires advanced technologies such as heat-resistant alloys, turbine cooling, precision manufacturing and advanced digital controls, is a critical test for Türkiye's engineering capabilities. Until the domestic engine work is completed, KAAN will use the US propulsion system.
'SAUDI ARABIA IS MEETING WITH Türkiye'
Türkiye continues its negotiations with foreign potential partners who want to be included in the KAAN program. According to The New Arab, Saudi Arabia, which is looking for ways to participate in the project, is holding advanced talks with Türkiye regarding possible participation in the project. KAAN may be opened to the participation of new foreign partners if Türkiye decides. It was argued in the news that these collaborations could make significant contributions to the project in terms of both sharing costs and technology transfer.
The news site stated that KAAN reinforced Türkiye's claim in the defense industry and included the country among a limited number of countries in this field. However, it was noted that it would take time for the program to mature.
TRUMP'S F-35 DECISION
The news also included US President Donald Trump's stance on Türkiye's re-joining of the F-35 program. While Trump acknowledged the existence of political and legal obstacles, he expressed his willingness to re-evaluate Ankara's access to the F-35. Trump's statement raised the possibility of opening a new page in defense relations between the two countries after Türkiye's exclusion from the program.
'CRITICAL STAGE IN DEFENSE'
It was stated that a mature KAAN equipped with domestic engines, radar, electronic warfare systems and weapons could provide Türkiye with an independent, high-level air power that it does not currently have. The news stated that if Ankara manages to combine KAAN with a domestically produced engine and domestic combat systems, this warplane will significantly increase Türkiye's strategic independence.
The New Arab emphasized that KAAN has fifth-generation aircraft features such as stealth, internal weapons carrying and sensor fusion, and stated that if these technologies mature and mass production begins, Türkiye will move to a critical stage in its defense power.
'IT WILL CHANGE THE MILITARY BALANCES IN FAVOR OF Türkiye'
The New Arab stated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu openly opposes the supply of F-35s to Türkiye. In his statement in July, Netanyahu stated that he was against the US selling these planes to Ankara and argued that this could change the regional balance of power. The Israeli administration had stated that giving the F-35 to Türkiye would leave Tel Aviv in a difficult situation in the Middle East.
Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz, in his previous speeches, drew attention to the tension in Syria and stated that Israel would not step back in the region. The news noted that KAAN would provide Ankara with a unique military trump card against Israel and change the military balance in Türkiye's favor.
REGIONAL TENSIONS
In the news, the impact of the latest developments in Syria on Türkiye-Israel relations was also put under the spotlight. Following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024 and the establishment of a new government with close relations with Ankara, Syria became an area of tension with Israel.
Israel launched an attack on Syria's T4, Palmyra and Hama air bases in April 2025. The Tel Aviv administration has continued its attacks in Syria intermittently since then. The USA warned Israel not to cause unnecessary tension in Syria.
