Türkiye has reached a new milestone in its national fighter aircraft program with the official order for a sixth prototype of the KAAN fifth-generation jet, as reported by defense media outlet Ulusavunma. The procurement order from the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB) underscores the nation’s determination to fast-track the deployment of a locally produced, state-of-the-art fighter aircraft. The KAAN project, led by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), represents a transformative chapter in Türkiye’s defense history—marking the transition from dependence on foreign platforms to full-spectrum domestic capability in high-performance aviation technology.
Launched under the name TF-X, the KAAN program began its journey in 2016 with intensive research and development phases including simulation, aerodynamic analysis, and design validation. By 2019, the program had advanced to the point of unveiling a full-scale prototype at the Paris Air Show, an international showcase that affirmed Türkiye’s ambition to join the ranks of nations capable of fielding next-gen combat aircraft. With the sixth prototype now in the pipeline, Türkiye is reinforcing its strategic goal of creating a robust, independent aerospace industrial base to support both national defense and future export potential.
