Turkey has signed a contract with Turkish Aerospace Industries for the first batch of 20 KAAN fifth-generation stealth fighter jets, with deliveries planned between 2028 and 2030. Initially powered by General Electric F110 engines, future variants are expected to transition to domestically produced engines as Turkey expands indigenous aerospace capabilities. Developed to replace the Turkish Air Force’s aging F-16 fleet, the KAAN incorporates stealth shaping, advanced avionics, sensor fusion, and network-centric warfare systems optimized for contested airspace operations. The fighter also features internal weapons bays capable of carrying indigenous air-to-air missiles and cruise weapons. The agreement follows a separate export deal with Indonesia for 48 aircraft, highlighting Turkey’s ambition to establish KAAN as a globally competitive next-generation fighter platform.
