The KAAN Development Project, initiated with the aim of producing a domestically designed and developed fighter aircraft to replace the F-16 aircraft in the inventory of the Turkish Air Force Command, which are planned to be phased out gradually starting from the 2030s, is led by Turkish Aerospace as the main contractor.

Through the acquisition of advanced technologies such as low observability, internal weapon bays, high maneuverability, enhanced situational awareness, and sensor fusion—key features of a next-generation aircraft—Türkiye is positioning itself among the limited number of nations, including the USA, Russia, and China, capable of producing 5th-generation fighter jets.

Turkish Fighter KAAN Development Project Agreement was signed with the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB) on August 5, 2016. Since then, efforts have been carried out in collaboration with all stakeholders, primarily the main contractor, Turkish Aerospace. The current agreement covers the preliminary design phase, which is a critical part of the development and production process. This phase aims to design the aircraft, develop engineering and testing infrastructure, advance certification processes, and build capabilities for fighter jet design and development.

In line with the project’s main objectives, Turkish Aerospace is making maximum use of national resources to enhance the country’s knowledge and experience in the design, production, integration, certification, maintenance, and sustainment of fighter jets.

Turkish Fighter KAAN, a 5th-generation aircraft, offers superior capabilities for both air-to-air and air-to-ground combat missions. As a powerful and agile platform with high survivability developed by Turkish Aerospace, Turkish Fighter KAAN stands out as a formidable fighter with its advanced and intelligent combat capabilities.

Cutting-edge engineering tools and methods are employed in the testing activities and optimization of aerodynamic geometry, a critical step in the KAAN Development Project.

The cockpit design of KAAN is refined to minimize pilot workload while incorporating the capabilities and equipment required in 5th-generation fighter aircraft. The design process considers physical, cognitive, and environmental factors to create a cockpit environment that enhances the pilot’s situational awareness.

Following the completion of production and assembly activities for the first prototype of Turkish Fighter KAAN, ground testing began. After completing the testing phase, KAAN successfully performed its maiden flight on February 21, 2024, staying airborne for 13 minutes. During this flight, KAAN reached an altitude of 8,000 feet and a speed of 230 knots.

KAAN’s second test flight took place on May 6, 2024, lasting 14 minutes, during which it climbed to 10,000 feet and reached a speed of 230 knots.

KAAN achieves air superiority with:

• Extended air-to-air combat range through advanced weaponry,

• Precise and accurate strikes from internal weapon bays at high/supersonic speeds,

• Enhanced combat power supported by artificial intelligence and neural networks.