Defence

Türkiye’s homegrown KAAN fighter jet completes first flight

Turkey’s fifth-generation fighter jet in development, the KAAN, achieved a significant milestone on Wednesday as it completed its inaugural flight.

Supervised by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), the historic flight saw Commander Barbaros Demirbas of the Turkish Air Force take the helm. Lasting 11 minutes, the flight soared to an altitude of 8,000 feet (2,400 meters) and reached a speed of 230 knots (425 kilometers per hour).

The KAAN fighter jet, measuring 21 meters in length with a wingspan of 14 meters and standing 6 meters tall, marks a pivotal advancement in Turkey’s domestic aviation capabilities. With a maximum takeoff weight of approximately 27,215 kg, powered by two GE F110 engines boasting a combined thrust capacity of 76.31 kilonewtons and an afterburner thrust capacity of 131 kilonewtons, the KAAN demonstrates formidable performance. Its top speed of 2,716 km/h and combat range of up to 1,100 km signify its readiness for various operational scenarios.

KAAN, #GökVatan'ı ile buluştu.🇹🇷
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Cumhurbaşkanımız Sayın @RTErdogan ’ın savunma sanayiinde ülkemize çizdiği yerlilik ve millilik vizyonunun kilometre taşlarından olacak bir gelişmeyi daha tarihimize kazıdık. Hamdolsun…
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Milli Muharip Uçağımız KAAN’ın ilk uçuşu milletimize… pic.twitter.com/9KMNP8Qveu— Prof. Dr. Haluk Görgün (@halukgorgun) February 21, 2024

Anticipated to integrate cutting-edge technologies, including a next-generation active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar system, sophisticated communications systems, and superior electronic warfare capabilities, the KAAN heralds a new era in Turkish military aviation. Advanced stealth features such as radar-absorbing materials and state-of-the-art coatings contribute to its reduced radar cross-section, enhancing its survivability in contested environments.

TAI, the lead contractor for the KAAN fifth-generation fighter jet development programme, plans to supply 20 KAAN Block 10 fighter jets to the Turkish Air Force by 2028 after taxi trials conclude in March. With an eye towards the future, the second prototype (P1), which will cover the full flight envelope and serve as a closer approximation to the intended production aircraft, is slated for takeoff in 2025. The anticipated third aircraft flight in 2026 and the delivery of follow-on blocks by 2034 are among the upcoming benchmarks.

The block 20 aircraft, with its supercruise capabilities and appropriate materials, coatings, sensors, and electronics, will represent the real fifth-generation fighter by 2034. Turkey’s dedication to developing its domestic defense sector and maintaining its standing as a major participant in the international aerospace arena is demonstrated by the KAAN project.

Defence

Indian Air Force Considers Anti-Drone Technology for Apache and LCH

India’s military aviation sector is making significant strides with its impressive fleet of helicopters, notably the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand, which recently achieved a milestone by conducting its first-ever day-and-night firing of 20 mm turret guns and 70 mm rockets.

Now, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is actively exploring the development of anti-drone capabilities leveraging its fleet of attack helicopters, including the Boeing AH-64 Apache and the indigenously developed LCH.

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This initiative is a direct response to the increasing threat posed by armed drones and remotely piloted vehicles (RPVs), which have transformed modern warfare. Recent conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East have demonstrated how these advanced aerial systems can bypass traditional anti-aircraft defenses and surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems.

As future conflicts are likely to see widespread use of armed drones, the urgent need for innovative countermeasures against these threats has become clear.

Israel, a close defense partner of India, has been actively utilizing counter-drone operations with its AH-64 attack helicopters for some time.

This aircraft won’t need a runway

Notably, on October 1st, the U.S. Army’s Central Command reported that one of its AH-64 helicopters successfully engaged an unmanned aerial system (UAS) using an upgraded AGM-114 Hellfire missile during the Red Sands training exercise in Saudi Arabia. This successful operation marks a significant advancement in the development of effective counter-drone weapon systems.

The IAF, which already operates AH-64 attack helicopters equipped with AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, compare atak 2 vs apache recognizes the necessity of developing a secondary counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) capability within its helicopter fleet. The LCH, known for its heavy armament and high maneuverability, is already in service and can be customized to fulfill the Air Force’s anti-drone requirements.

Being an indigenous product developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the LCH can be quickly and cost-effectively equipped with new sensors and weaponry to serve in an anti-drone defense role. This adaptability, supported by India’s growing defense industry ecosystem, positions the IAF well to meet emerging aerial threats.