Saudi Arabia Reportedly Considering Purchase of 100 Turkish-Made KAAN 5th-Generation Fighter Jets

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – Saudi Arabia is reportedly considering the acquisition of approximately 100 units of the fifth-generation fighter jet, “KAAN,” currently under development by Turkey.

The proposal for the procurement of the KAAN fighter jets was discussed during the recent visit of the Commander of the Royal Saudi Air Force, Prince Turki bin Bandar Al Saud, to Turkey.

During his visit, Prince Turki engaged in discussions with several Turkish defense companies, including Roketsan, Aselsan, and Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), the manufacturer of the KAAN fighter jet.

According to international defense reports, the visit provided Prince Turki and the Saudi delegation with the latest insights into the capabilities of the KAAN fighter and explored potential strategic collaboration between the two nations regarding the aircraft.

The collaboration is expected to include technology transfer and local manufacturing of the fifth-generation fighter jet in Saudi Arabia.

This proposed acquisition aligns with the objectives of both Saudi Arabia and Turkey to strengthen their defense ties as regional powers.

On July 18 last year, Saudi Arabia announced plans to invest USD 3 billion (RM13.5 billion) to procure the “Akinci” MALE (Medium Altitude Long Endurance) drone, produced by Turkey’s Baykar Technology. The purchase represents Turkey’s largest defense contract to date.

On August 6, Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) announced that 70 percent of the components for the Akinci drones procured by Saudi Arabia would be manufactured domestically, reflecting Saudi efforts to enhance its defense industrial capabilities.

In addition to SAMI’s agreement with Baykar Technology, Saudi Arabia’s National Company for Mechanical Systems (NCMS) signed agreements with Turkey’s Aselsan for the supply of electro-optical systems for the drones and with Roketsan for weapons systems, including those integrated into the Akinci drone.

Aselsan stated that both parties would cooperate in developing electro-optical surveillance, targeting systems, guidance kits, and smart bombs used by Baykar drones.

The Turkish Air Force is expected to acquire over 100 units of the KAAN fighter jets once TAI begins mass production.

Mehmet Demiroglu, TAI’s newly appointed CEO, confirmed the progress.

TAI is the lead contractor for the KAAN project, which Turkey, a NATO member, launched in 2016. The first 20 KAAN Block 10 jets are scheduled for delivery to the Turkish Air Force by 2028, with production ramping up to two units per month by 2029.

The production pace is expected to generate annual revenues of approximately USD 2.4 billion (RM9.6 billion).

The KAAN fighter jets are intended to replace over 200 aging F-16 aircraft currently in service with the Turkish Air Force.

In early June, the KAAN fighter successfully completed its second flight, just a few months after its historic maiden flight in February.

During its second flight, the aircraft remained airborne for 14 minutes, reaching an altitude of 10,000 feet and a speed of 230 knots, according to a statement by Turkey’s Defense Industry Agency (SSB).

The inaugural flight on February 21 marked Turkey’s entry into the exclusive group of nations capable of independently developing a fifth-generation fighter jet. — DSA