TAI Kaan (TF-X)

[Skywalker]

TUSAŞ’s KAAN Fighter Uses Martin Baker T18T Ejection Seat
22 Jun 2025, 09:56 1 min
United Kingdom France Republic of Korea Turkiye
Air Expo and Air Show
TUSAŞ’s KAAN Fighter Uses Martin Baker T18T Ejection Seat TurDef All photos Copyrighted
During Paris Airshow 2025, Martin Baker displayed its MK18 ejection seat for various platforms, including TUSAŞ’s KAAN fighter and Hürjet advanced trainer.
MK18, as the latest ejection seat in Martin Baker’s line, is currently used on a range of new combat and trainer aircraft, including KAAN, which performed its maiden flight in 2024. The KAAN-specific version of MK18 is designated as T18T. Hürjet ejection seat is displayed as MK18X.

Martin Baker also displayed the specifications of MK18’s variant tailored for ROK’s KF-21 fighter, KR18A. TurDef has learned that the KR18A closely resembles the T18T model, owing to the KF-21’s similar cockpit dimensions and design requirements. However, there are nuanced differences in the technical details between the two, and the seats are not the same.

https://turdef.com/article/tusas-s-kaan-...ction-seat

[Skywalker]

Turkiye Forms New Air Test Units for KAAN and HÜRJET
10 Jul 2025, 17:15 3 mins
Turkiye
Air
Turkiye Forms New Air Test Units for KAAN and HÜRJET TurDef
Dual activation of ARMERKOM and 403rd test Squadron at Mürted signals a major shift in indigenous air platform testing

The Turkish Ministry of National Defence has officially launched two new air force institutions aimed at boosting the nation’s flight test and R&D capabilities. The Turkish Air Force Commander has ordered the activation of the Air Force Research Centre Command (ARMERKOM / Air) and the 403rd Test Squadron at Mürted Air Base as of July 4, 2025. Turkiye's first ARMERKOM is set at Turkish Navy which resulted indiginous naval platforms and equipment.

The goal of this step is to make the Turkish Air Force more technologically advanced by making its flight-testing authority official and encouraging the integration of national mission systems into next-generation air platforms.

ARMERKOM is tasked with closely monitoring technological trends and operational requirements from contemporary international combat zones. Backed by advanced R&D and a strong engineering corps, the centre aims to shape the scientific groundwork for future air platforms, deliver prototypes, and conduct laboratory testing of mission-critical systems.

https://turdef.com/article/turkiye-forms...nd-huerjet

[Skywalker]

Export Deal Finalised with Indonesia for KAAN Fighter Jet
26 Jul 2025, 14:25 2 mins
Indonesia Turkiye
Air Expo and Air Show
Export Deal Finalised with Indonesia for KAAN Fighter Jet TurDef
The Export agreement for the KAAN fighter jet has been signed between Turkiye and Indonesia during the IDEF25 defence exhibition held in Istanbul.

TUSAŞ, the Indonesian MoD, and the Secretary of the Turkish Defence Industries, Haluk Görgün, attended the signing ceremony for the contract titled Purchase Contract of KAAN Aircraft. With this contract, the export of KAAN to Indonesia has been finalised.

https://turdef.com/article/export-deal-f...ighter-jet

[Skywalker]

Turkish Aerospace's Kaan Prototype Moves Into System Integration Phase
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Tony Osborne September 02, 2025
TAI kaan
Credit: Turkish Aerospace Industries
ANKARA, Turkey—The first of the next two prototypes of Turkey’s Kaan indigenous combat aircraft has moved into the system integration phase ahead of plans to fly in spring 2026.

Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) officials said the two prototypes are in an advanced state of structural assembly and work is underway on system integration in the company’s Kaan final assembly line here in Ankara. A ground test vehicle also is in production.

The unnamed officials spoke to Aviation Week on Aug. 28 during an international media tour of the country’s defense industry organized by the Turkish government.

They would not be drawn on the timelines for assembly and first flight, but TAI’s general manager, Mehmet Demiroglu, speaking on a panel Aug. 29, said flights for the two aircraft would take place in April and May 2026, kicking off "the beginning of intensive flight testing.”

The two prototypes are expected to be significantly more complete internally compared to the P0 Kaan prototype that made two flights in 2024, with the aircraft featuring more of the mission systems to be associated with the operational aircraft.

https://aviationweek.com/defense/aircraf...tion-phase

[Schneemann]

Stellen sich möglicherweise Verzögerungen beim TAI Kaan ein? Trotz aller vorangegangenen Besuche und mancher Nettigkeiten, auch in Bezug auf die F-35, scheint man von US-Seite aus zu mauern, was die GE-Triebwerke für den TF-X angeht.

Bekommt der Kaan-Kampfjet der Türkei ein Problem?

[01.10.2025]

Die Türkei will die ersten Exemplare ihres Kampfflugzeugs Kaan mit GE-Triebwerken aus den USA ausrüsten. Doch die dafür nötige Exportlizenz ging wohl noch immer nicht durch den US-Kongress. Müssen sich die Türken ganz auf ihr eigenes, neues Kaan-Triebwerk verlassen? [...]

Der türkische Außenminister Hakan Fidan sorgte jüngst in seinem Heimatland mit einer kontroversen Aussage für Aufsehen. Im Nachgang des Staatsbesuchs von Präsident Erdogan im Weißen Haus in Washington monierte der Chefdiplomat öffentlich, dass der US-Kongress nach wie vor keine Exportlizenzen für die benötigte Anzahl von GE F110-Triebwerken erteilt habe, mit denen die Türkei plangemäß die erste Serie ihrer Kaan-Kampfjets ausrüsten möchte. [...] Die US-Blockadehaltung erschwere die Bemühungen, das ehrgeizige Kampfflugzeugprogramm ohne Verzug voranzutreiben und entspreche "nicht dem Geist der Allianz und der strategischen Partnerschaft" zwischen den USA und der Türkei. [...]

Mittelfristig planen die Türken, ihren Fighter der fünften Generation mit einheimischen Triebwerken auszustatten. Doch das dafür vorgesehene TF35000 ist noch viele Jahre von der Marktreife entfernt – es existiert bis dato nicht einmal ein Prototyp. [...]

Womöglich wird die ganze Sache aber auch wieder einmal heißer gekocht als gegessen. Jedenfalls beschwichtigte der Chef der türkischen Verteidigungsindustrie, Prof. Dr. Haluk Görgün, seinerseits in einer Stellungnahme, dass zumindest gegenwärtig im Kaan-Entwicklungsprozess dadurch keine Verzögerungen zu erwarten seien. Tatsächlich hat TAI für die insgesamt sechs geplanten Kaan-Prototypen, von denen einer bereits abhob, die benötigten GE-Triebwerkspaare bereits geliefert bekommen.

https://www.flugrevue.de/militaer/tuerki...rksexport/

Schneemann

[Skywalker]

Die Arbeiten zur Integration von Luft - Luft Bewaffnung unf des SOM-J Marschflugkörper für das zukünftige Kampfflugzeug Kaan haben begonnen.

AAMs’ and SOM-J Under Integration for KAAN Internal Bays

05 Nov 2025, 13:11
Turkiye
Air Weapon / Missile
AAMs’ and SOM-J Under Integration for KAAN Internal Bays TurDef
Minister of Industry and Technology, Mehmet Fatih Kacır, gave an important update regarding the integration work of missiles meant for KAAN fighter’s internal bays. Kacır stated that the integration work of GÖKDOĞAN BVRAAM, BOZDOĞAN WVRAAM, ramjet-powered GÖKHAN BVRAAM, and SOM-J cruise missile is ongoing.
GÖKDOĞAN and BOZDOĞAN have been fired from F-16 multiple times while GÖKHAN’s development is ongoing. TÜBİTAK SAGE is developing GÖKHAN as a liquid fuel ramjet-powered BVRAAM for engagements beyond the range of GÖKDOĞAN. During IDEF2025, a contract was signed for an “Extended Range GÖKHAN” as part of capability upgrades on design.

https://turdef.com/article/aams-and-som-...ernal-bays

[Skywalker]

Türkiye Awaits 80 More F110 Engines For KAAN Jet
Türkiye’s Defense Ministry said U.S.-made F110 engines for the KAAN fighter have been delivered, while development of a domestic engine for later blocks continues on schedule, clarifying engine supply debates surrounding the program.
December 26, 2025Clash Report

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Türkiye Awaits 80 More F110 Engines For KAAN

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Türkiye’s Ministry of National Defense (MSB) has issued a detailed clarification on the engine supply and development roadmap for the KAAN National Combat Aircraft, seeking to address public debate over reliance on foreign powerplants.

The statement, disclosed on December 26, 2025, came in response to a written parliamentary inquiry and outlined both the status of U.S.-origin engines and the timeline for Türkiye’s indigenous engine effort.

According to the ministry, the KAAN program currently relies on the F110-GE-129E turbofan engine, produced by General Electric Aerospace in the United States.

MSB confirmed that under the first subcontract between TUSAŞ and GE F-110 engines were procured and fully delivered as of September 2025.

These engines are designated for early KAAN blocks and flight activities.

A second subcontract covering 80 additional engines remains under discussion with U.S. authorities, with talks continuing at the government level.

https://clashreport.com/defense/articles...6e2sbrx1xh

[Skywalker]

TRMotor Begins Integration of APU-60 and APU-40 in 2026
02 Feb 2026, 17:47
Turkiye
Air Engine and Transmission
TRMotor Begins Integrating APU-60 and APU-60 in 2026 TurDef APU-60 and APU-40
TRMotor will integrate the APU-60 auxiliary power unit on the KAAN fighter jet, as well as the smaller APU-40 for dual use on another platform in 2026.

TUSAŞ magazine’s new issue includes updates on auxilary power unit projects of TRMotor which is known for the design and development of the TF35000 turbofan engine for KAAN fighter jet.

Integration of APU-60 and APU-40 will begin in 2026 according to the TRMotor article on the magazine. APU-60 has been developed for TUSAŞ’s KAAN fighter jet, which is set to enter the next phase of tests with P1 and other refined prototypes.

https://turdef.com/article/trmotor-begin...40-in-2026

[Skywalker]

Erdoğan’s Statement and WDS Signal a New Partner for KAAN
06 Feb 2026, 20:33 2 mins
Saudi Arabia Turkiye
Air Investment Bilateral Relations Expo and Air Show
Erdoğan’s Statement and WDS Signal a New Partner for KAAN TurDef Photo Credit: Tony Osborne
TUSAŞ displayed the KAAN fighter jet with Saudi livery at WDS, shortly after the Turkish President Erdoğan’s statement on cooperation with Saudi Arabia.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s recent statement on the matter before the World Defence Show (WDS) 2026 exhibition, and TUSAŞ putting KAAN on display with Saudi livery, signal a new partnership for the project. Aviation Week Editor Tony Osborne photographed the new KAAN scaled model prior to the launch of WDS2026 on the 8th of Feburary.

Erdoğan, after the visit to Saudi Arabia, stated that a joint investment in KAAN with the Gulf country can happen “at any moment”, in response to a question from the press regarding cooperation with Saudi Arabia.

https://turdef.com/article/erdogan-s-sta...r-for-kaan

[Skywalker]

KAAN moves toward TurAF production amid Saudi talks
14 Feb 2026, 02:16 3 mins
Turkiye
Air Expo and Air Show
KAAN moves toward TurAF production amid Saudi talks TurDef
During a recent facility visit, a full-scale test aircraft was displayed alongside the prototype that completed its maiden flight in 2024 and a second prototype preparing for flight. The simultaneous presence of these platforms indicates that flight testing, structural validation and production preparation activities are progressing in parallel, signalling a maturing development framework.

Haluk Görgün, Secretary of Defence Industries, reviewed progress on the programme. The Secretariat confirmed that the contractual process for KAAN deliveries to TurAF is being initiated. While this does not mark the start of serial production, it represents a formal step toward transitioning from development to production planning.



KAAN is intended to serve as Türkiye’s next-generation combat aircraft for long-term service within TurAF. The aircraft is designed with low-observable features and internal weapons bays, supported by advanced avionics architecture, sensor fusion, network-enabled operations and electronic warfare capabilities. It is planned to operate across both air-to-air and air-to-ground mission sets.

https://turdef.com/article/kaan-moves-to...audi-talks

[Skywalker]

KAAN Enters the Next Phase of Tests with New Prototypes
14 Feb 2026, 23:57
Turkiye
Analysis Air
KAAN Enters the Next Phase of Tests with New Prototypes
The awaited testing phase for the KAAN fighter jet with more rigorous tests is about to start in 2026, with the unveiling of the two new prototypes, P1 and P2.

KAAN programme, as a long-term run, is entering a new lap with the follow-up prototypes to the P0 prototype used in the maiden flight performed about two years ago. TUSAŞ has unveiled the two prototypes, P1 and P2, during the visit of Secretary of Defence Industries Haluk Görgün.

Changes on New Prototypes
The new prototypes for KAAN have some observable changes to accommodate the high-octane (Literally and figuratively) testing schedule compared to P0’s, in terms of structure and provisions.

Firstly, the fuselage appears to have some changes to increase the useful volume for onboard systems, such as a widened mid-section and a reworked frontal section. It is known that KAAN’s new prototypes will be a meter shorter at about 20 m compared to the first.

Secondly, a new placement for the landing gears can be seen, which significantly increases the useful area at the lower mid-section. This is important to provide as much volume as possible for the internal weapon bays.

Air intake design changes are possible, which were previously hinted at by TUSAŞ CEO Mehmet Demiroğlu. Ramp intakes of KAAN with S-ducts inside will be important for both supersonic flight and low observability features.

Additionally, some sensor integrations might take place on the new prototypes, as suggested by the radome being more like a working radome with lightning strips and less like a mockup. It is no secret that KAAN's avionics, some of them if not all, are being tested on a testbed platform.

It should be noted that this is not the end of changes in the prototype phase, as P4 to P6 are anticipated to have extra refinements, especially in terms of aerodynamics.

https://turdef.com/article/kaan-enters-t...prototypes