TAI Presents KAAN Multirole Fighter at SAHA 2024 Marking a Promising Turning Point for Turkish Aerospace
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The fifth-generation KAAN fighter, developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), was officially unveiled at the SAHA 2024 exhibition in Istanbul. This aircraft, also known as the TF-X, embodies Türkiye’s ambition to become a key player in the design and production of next-generation combat aircraft. Since its maiden flight on February 21, 2024, the KAAN has garnered international interest, particularly following rumors of a collaboration with Saudi Arabia, further solidifying its position as a strategic pillar of Türkiye’s future air power.
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The KAAN is designed to operate effectively in air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, with internal weapon bays that enhance stealth and reduce its radar signature (Picture source: Army Recognition)
The development of the KAAN falls under the National Fighter Program launched in 2010 by the Defense Industry Executive Committee (SSİK). This program aims to replace the aging F-16 fleet in the Turkish Air Force, set to be retired by the 2030s. KAAN marks a technological leap for Türkiye, placing it among a select group of nations capable of designing, producing, and integrating fifth-generation fighter jets. Türkiye leveraged the expertise gained through the ATAK program to develop critical systems, including radars, avionics, and combat systems.
The KAAN’s capabilities are broad and diverse, particularly in air warfare and strategic superiority. It is designed to operate effectively in air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, with internal weapon bays that enhance stealth and reduce its radar signature. The fighter will be able to integrate Turkish-made weapons, such as the long-range Gökdoğan air-to-air missile, the short-range Bozdoğan missile, and the SOM-J cruise missile for ground attacks. This capacity to deploy indigenous weaponry underscores Türkiye’s growing self-sufficiency in arming its air force while enhancing KAAN’s effectiveness in precision strike missions at high speeds.
KAAN is also equipped with an advanced sensor suite, including the MURAD AESA radar developed by the Turkish company ASELSAN. This active electronically scanned array radar offers automatic target recognition, multi-target tracking, ground mapping, advanced electronic warfare capabilities, and missile guidance. The MURAD radar, combined with an infrared search and track system (IRST) and a multi-purpose electro-optical targeting system, significantly enhances KAAN’s situational awareness and targeting capabilities, allowing flexibility in complex combat environments.
The KAAN project also has an international collaboration aspect. In 2016, TAI signed a contract with BAE Systems to accelerate the fighter’s development. Over 200 companies are involved in the project, including about 100 Turkish firms, with domestic content reaching over 90%. This strategic collaboration not only enhances KAAN’s capabilities but also creates a robust infrastructure for the production of fighters and other advanced aviation projects in Türkiye. The development of KAAN’s engine, led by TEI and TRMotor, is also underway, which will eventually reduce Türkiye’s reliance on foreign suppliers.
Countries like Ukraine have already expressed interest in the KAAN, and Saudi Arabia has recently indicated its intent to acquire over 100 KAAN fighters (Picture source: WikiCommons)
In terms of performance, KAAN can achieve supersonic speeds without afterburners, thanks to its powerful engines, and can operate at an altitude of 55,000 feet. With a payload capacity exceeding 6,000 kg, the aircraft is designed to carry a variety of armaments while maintaining exceptional agility in combat scenarios. Its communication and data link systems, such as the KEMENT Tactical Data Link, enable it to operate in a network with unmanned aerial systems like the ANKA, promoting human-machine collaboration for greater tactical efficiency.
The integration of these technologies and KAAN’s operational potential make it a central figure in modernizing the Turkish Air Force. In addition to replacing the F-16s, KAAN is set to become the backbone of the country’s air defense for decades to come. Dr. Hüseyin Fazla, a former fighter pilot and head of the STRASAM Strategic Research Centre, emphasized the importance of having a modern air force in a conflict-prone region. According to him, KAAN will meet Türkiye’s operational requirements through 2070, while serving as a strategic deterrent.
Regarding export prospects, KAAN could become a serious contender for markets seeking an alternative to more expensive American offerings. Countries like Ukraine have already expressed interest in the KAAN, and Saudi Arabia has recently indicated its intent to acquire over 100 KAAN fighters, which could strengthen defense ties between Ankara and Riyadh. However, as noted by expert Çağlar Kurç, assessing KAAN’s commercial potential remains premature until its full capabilities and associated costs are fully determined.
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The fifth-generation KAAN fighter, developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), was officially unveiled at the SAHA 2024 exhibition in Istanbul. This aircraft, also known as the TF-X, embodies Türkiye’s ambition to become a key player in the design and production of next-generation combat aircraft. Since its maiden flight on February 21, 2024, the KAAN has garnered international interest, particularly following rumors of a collaboration with Saudi Arabia, further solidifying its position as a strategic pillar of Türkiye’s future air power.
The KAAN is designed to operate effectively in air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, with internal weapon bays that enhance stealth and reduce its radar signature (Picture source: Army Recognition)
The development of the KAAN falls under the National Fighter Program launched in 2010 by the Defense Industry Executive Committee (SSİK). This program aims to replace the aging F-16 fleet in the Turkish Air Force, set to be retired by the 2030s. KAAN marks a technological leap for Türkiye, placing it among a select group of nations capable of designing, producing, and integrating fifth-generation fighter jets. Türkiye leveraged the expertise gained through the ATAK program to develop critical systems, including radars, avionics, and combat systems.
The KAAN’s capabilities are broad and diverse, particularly in air warfare and strategic superiority. It is designed to operate effectively in air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, with internal weapon bays that enhance stealth and reduce its radar signature. The fighter will be able to integrate Turkish-made weapons, such as the long-range Gökdoğan air-to-air missile, the short-range Bozdoğan missile, and the SOM-J cruise missile for ground attacks. This capacity to deploy indigenous weaponry underscores Türkiye’s growing self-sufficiency in arming its air force while enhancing KAAN’s effectiveness in precision strike missions at high speeds.
KAAN is also equipped with an advanced sensor suite, including the MURAD AESA radar developed by the Turkish company ASELSAN. This active electronically scanned array radar offers automatic target recognition, multi-target tracking, ground mapping, advanced electronic warfare capabilities, and missile guidance. The MURAD radar, combined with an infrared search and track system (IRST) and a multi-purpose electro-optical targeting system, significantly enhances KAAN’s situational awareness and targeting capabilities, allowing flexibility in complex combat environments.
The KAAN project also has an international collaboration aspect. In 2016, TAI signed a contract with BAE Systems to accelerate the fighter’s development. Over 200 companies are involved in the project, including about 100 Turkish firms, with domestic content reaching over 90%. This strategic collaboration not only enhances KAAN’s capabilities but also creates a robust infrastructure for the production of fighters and other advanced aviation projects in Türkiye. The development of KAAN’s engine, led by TEI and TRMotor, is also underway, which will eventually reduce Türkiye’s reliance on foreign suppliers.
Countries like Ukraine have already expressed interest in the KAAN, and Saudi Arabia has recently indicated its intent to acquire over 100 KAAN fighters (Picture source: WikiCommons)
In terms of performance, KAAN can achieve supersonic speeds without afterburners, thanks to its powerful engines, and can operate at an altitude of 55,000 feet. With a payload capacity exceeding 6,000 kg, the aircraft is designed to carry a variety of armaments while maintaining exceptional agility in combat scenarios. Its communication and data link systems, such as the KEMENT Tactical Data Link, enable it to operate in a network with unmanned aerial systems like the ANKA, promoting human-machine collaboration for greater tactical efficiency.
The integration of these technologies and KAAN’s operational potential make it a central figure in modernizing the Turkish Air Force. In addition to replacing the F-16s, KAAN is set to become the backbone of the country’s air defense for decades to come. Dr. Hüseyin Fazla, a former fighter pilot and head of the STRASAM Strategic Research Centre, emphasized the importance of having a modern air force in a conflict-prone region. According to him, KAAN will meet Türkiye’s operational requirements through 2070, while serving as a strategic deterrent.
Regarding export prospects, KAAN could become a serious contender for markets seeking an alternative to more expensive American offerings. Countries like Ukraine have already expressed interest in the KAAN, and Saudi Arabia has recently indicated its intent to acquire over 100 KAAN fighters, which could strengthen defense ties between Ankara and Riyadh. However, as noted by expert Çağlar Kurç, assessing KAAN’s commercial potential remains premature until its full capabilities and associated costs are fully determined.
