Turkey has acquired the sixth prototype of its homegrown TAI Kaan stealth fighter to carry out an advanced series of assessments aimed at validating the aircraft’s full operational potential. This latest prototype will undergo an extensive round of performance evaluations, including stress testing, avionics diagnostics, high-speed taxi trials, and complex runway maneuvers.
These activities are part of Ankara’s broader strategy to accelerate the Kaan’s readiness for service in the Turkish Air Force. Officials view this stage as critical for fine-tuning the aircraft before it progresses to mass production and frontline induction.
According to Turkish defense outlet Ulusavunma, the Kaan jet will enter service through a phased delivery process, with each successive batch of airframes offering upgraded features and systems. The program is structured so that each production block—such as Block 30 and Block 40—incorporates increasingly sophisticated capabilities.
In the final stages of development, the Kaan is expected to be powered by a domestically developed engine, undergo a full suite of ground and flight trials, and work toward achieving official flight certification.
