Defence
Indonesia Becomes First International Buyer of Türkiye’s KAAN Fighter Jet
At IDEF 2025, Türkiye secured a landmark export deal with Indonesia for 48 KAAN fighter jets, showcasing its rising dominance in global defense aviation.
At the IDEF 2025 Defense Exhibition in Istanbul, held from July 22 to 27, Türkiye made global headlines. The event became a turning point not just for showcasing defense capabilities, but for securing one of the country’s most significant defense export deals to date.
On July 26, Indonesia signed a groundbreaking agreement to purchase 48 of Türkiye’s domestically developed KAAN fifth-generation fighter jets — marking Indonesia as the first international customer of the cutting-edge aircraft.
A Landmark Deal with Strategic Depth
This historic deal, finalized during the IDEF 2025 event, goes far beyond a simple aircraft purchase. The agreement includes deep cooperation on production, engineering, and technology transfer between Türkiye and Indonesia — a strategic partnership that enhances both nations’ defense capabilities.
Under the terms, the delivery of all 48 aircraft will be completed within 120 months. The jet engines will be manufactured in Türkiye, ensuring maximum local involvement and industrial growth.
KAAN: Türkiye’s 5th-Gen Aviation Powerhouse
The KAAN fighter jet, developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), represents Türkiye’s leap into the elite league of nations with indigenous fifth-generation fighter capabilities.
Key specifications of the KAAN include:
- Length: 21 meters
- Wingspan: 14 meters
- Height: 6 meters
- Max Takeoff Weight: ~27,215 kg
- Engines: Twin GE F110 engines
- Total Thrust: 76.31 kN (dry), 131 kN (with afterburner)
- Top Speed: 2,716 km/h
- Combat Range: Up to 1,100 km
Designed for high-performance combat missions, KAAN features internal weapons bays, aerial refueling capabilities, and stealth-enhancing design elements.
Prototype Progress & Flight Testing
According to Turkish defense officials, three KAAN prototypes are being developed:
- One for ground testing
- Two for flight operations
The second and third flying prototypes are scheduled for test flights in April and July 2026, respectively. The maiden flight of the first KAAN, piloted by Commander Barbaros Demirbaş of the Turkish Air Force, lasted 11 minutes, reaching an altitude of 8,000 feet and a speed of 230 knots (425 km/h) — a symbolic yet significant milestone.
Global Interest Grows: Spain Eyes Turkish Hürjet
Türkiye’s defense exports are gaining traction beyond just KAAN. Reports suggest that Spain has shown interest in the Turkish Hürjet trainer/light attack aircraft, in partnership with Airbus — further validating the growing international trust in Turkish aviation technology.
TUSAŞ CEO Confirms Production Readiness
TUSAŞ CEO Mehmet Demiroğlu confirmed that Türkiye is fully prepared to launch KAAN’s production phase. “We have completed all our work to begin production,” he stated, emphasizing the rapid progress made by Turkish aerospace engineers.
Türkiye’s Largest Defense Export Deal Yet
The KAAN agreement with Indonesia is being hailed as Türkiye’s largest-ever defense export contract, both in scale and strategic value. It not only positions KAAN as a competitive global platform but also opens the door for future collaborations and export opportunities across Asia and the Middle East.
Conclusion: A New Era in Turkish Aviation
With the KAAN jet now attracting global attention and official orders, Türkiye has firmly cemented its position in the world’s elite defense manufacturing circle. The IDEF 2025 exhibition proved to be more than just a showcase — it became the launchpad for a new era of Turkish aerospace diplomacy, industrial strength, and international defense cooperation.
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