Six KAAN Prototype Aircraft Built for Flight Testing

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – The construction of the second prototype of the fifth-generation KAAN fighter jet is progressing well at Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) facility, with its flight expected to take place this year, according to the President of the Defence Industry Agency (SSB), Prof. Haluk Gorgun.

Speaking to the media during the 2024 Assessment and 2025 Target meeting, he revealed that a total of six KAAN fighter prototypes would be built for flight testing before transitioning to mass production.

He also noted that there would be visible differences between the first and second prototypes of the KAAN fighter jet.

Images of the second KAAN prototype undergoing final construction at the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) facility surfaced on Turkish social media yesterday.

The first KAAN prototype, designated P0, completed its maiden flight on February 21 last year, followed by a second flight on May 6 last year.

A third flight by the P0 prototype is scheduled for early this year.

The second and third prototypes, designated P1 and P2, are also expected to take to the skies this year.

By the end of 2025, TAI is projected to have three flight-ready prototypes (P0, P1, and P2). Three additional prototypes—P3, P4, and P5—are planned for completion by 2026.

The Turkish Air Force is anticipated to acquire more than 100 KAAN fifth-generation fighter jets once the aircraft, developed by TAI, enters mass production.

TAI serves as the primary contractor for the development of the KAAN fifth-generation fighter jet program.

“We will supply over 100 KAAN fighter jets to the Turkish Air Force based on our current projections,” according TAI general manager Dr Mehmet Demiroğlu who succeeded Dr. Temel Kotil in the role, when quoted by Turkish defence portal several months ago.

Additionally, Demiroglu also disclosed that TAI plans to export approximately 150 KAAN fighters to Turkey’s “allied nations” interested in acquiring this advanced aircraft.

“In total, we expect to receive orders for between 250 and 300 KAAN fighters,” stated Demiroglu.

Turkey, a NATO member, launched the KAAN fifth-generation fighter jet development project in 2016.

TAI is expected to deliver 20 KAAN Block 10 fighters to the Turkish Air Force by 2028.

By 2029, TAI aims to produce two KAAN jets per month, generating an annual revenue of approximately $2.4 billion (RM9.6 billion).

The KAAN fighter jet is set to replace over 200 F-16 aircraft currently in service with the Turkish Air Force.

Initially, Turkey was a partner in the F-35 program and planned to acquire 100 units of the aircraft developed by Lockheed Martin.

Turkish firms were also set to produce approximately 900 components for the F-35, with Turkey having paid $1.4 billion (RM6.56 billion) as an advance to join the program.

However, Turkey’s decision to purchase the S-400 “Triumf” air defense system from Russia led to its removal from the F-35 program, barring the country from acquiring the aircraft.

The United States expressed concerns that Russia could use the S-400 system to gather intelligence on the F-35’s capabilities. — DSA