Türkiye’s Aselsan Reveals Fully Indigenous Strike Package for KAAN 5th Gen Fighter at Paris Air Show 2025
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On June 16, 2025, ASELSAN showcased at the Paris Air Show a full suite of indigenous precision-guided munitions for Türkiye’s future KAAN fifth-generation fighter jet. As reported by TurDef, this includes TOLUN and TOLUN-IIR bombs, LGK laser kits, and the dual-mode Gözde guidance system. ASELSAN will also contribute other critical subsystems to the TAI-developed stealth aircraft. The move highlights the growing maturity of Türkiye’s national defense industry. It also signals Ankara’s intent to pair its domestic fighter with fully indigenous strike capabilities. This step reflects a broader ambition to achieve defense autonomy and reduce foreign dependency.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
ASELSAN’s unveiling of a complete precision bomb suite for KAAN at the Paris Air Show not only highlights the growing maturity of Türkiye’s defense-industrial base but also sends a clear message: the country is ready to supply a fully sovereign fifth-generation strike capability, both for its own needs and for aligned nations (Picture source: Army Recognition Group)
The KAAN, developed by TAI, flew for the first time in early 2024 and has since generated growing international interest, particularly following Indonesia’s role as its first export partner. Designed to compete with aircraft like the F-35 in stealth, avionics fusion and multirole flexibility, the KAAN’s architecture includes internal weapons bays and multiple external pylons, making it an ideal platform for modular smart weapons. ASELSAN’s suite, tailored specifically for the aircraft, features the 250-pound TOLUN bomb for precision strikes at extended range, the TOLUN-IIR variant equipped with an imaging infrared seeker for passive target acquisition in contested electromagnetic environments, and the LGK series, which transforms conventional Mk-80 bombs into laser-guided assets. Notably, the Gözde kit adds dual-mode capability with both laser and GPS/INS guidance, enabling moving-target engagement under diverse weather and countermeasure conditions. Together, these munitions form a complete strike solution for KAAN’s multirole mission set.
Each of these payloads has already undergone significant testing and in-theatre validation. The TOLUN small-diameter bomb entered service with the Turkish Akinci UCAV in 2023, demonstrating over 80 kilometers of range and circular error probable (CEP) under three meters. Its IIR variant was test-fired successfully during winter trials in Konya, hitting camouflaged vehicles in a GPS-denied environment. The LGK kits, already exported and combat-tested in the South Caucasus, have shown excellent accuracy and mid-course correction capability when used with Turkish and Azerbaijani fighter jets. Gözde was more recently tested in April 2025, during which a Turkish F-16 engaged a high-speed moving ground vehicle with a direct hit, validating the kit’s performance and its ability to deliver standoff firepower against mobile targets. The maturity of these systems significantly reduces the timeline and complexity for integration onto KAAN’s airframe and mission systems.
Compared to other smart munitions globally, ASELSAN’s products offer a mix of affordability, modularity, and combat effectiveness. The TOLUN system matches the U.S.-developed GBU-39/B in weight and reach but offers a larger warhead with an indigenous fuse mechanism and flexible seekers. TOLUN-IIR’s passive targeting avoids the RF spectrum vulnerabilities that affect radar-guided bombs, making it especially useful in counter-A2/AD scenarios. The LGK series competes directly with the widely used Paveway IV and Israeli Lizard kits, offering similar terminal accuracy but produced entirely within Turkish supply chains. Gözde’s combination of laser and GPS guidance resembles the GBU-54 Laser JDAM, but with added emphasis on domestic sensor fusion and multi-environment adaptability. These comparisons underscore Türkiye’s effort to deliver a precision strike package competitive with NATO and non-NATO benchmarks, without the need for foreign technology transfer or export approvals.
The strategic consequences of this weapons integration are considerable. First, it signals a decisive move by Ankara to insulate its future air operations from the constraints of international arms export regimes, particularly those driven by Western states. In past years, Türkiye has faced delays and embargoes due to political frictions with allies; equipping KAAN with 100% Turkish munitions eliminates these risks. Second, it transforms KAAN into a true deep-strike and multirole platform, capable of engaging static and mobile targets from standoff distances without compromising stealth. This increases the survivability and lethality of Turkish combat air patrols and force projection missions.
Third, the domestic standardization of seekers, software, and guidance logic across TOLUN, LGK, and Gözde enables fast adaptation to new platforms and targets, allowing Türkiye to scale production and offer attractive export packages to allies and strategic partners. Regionally, this development could prompt reactions from countries with emerging fighter programs, such as the UAE, India or Egypt, who may now seek similar indigenous munitions solutions or closer collaboration with Turkish firms.
ASELSAN’s unveiling of a complete precision bomb suite for KAAN at the Paris Air Show not only highlights the growing maturity of Türkiye’s defense-industrial base but also sends a clear message: the country is ready to supply a fully sovereign fifth-generation strike capability, both for its own needs and for aligned nations. By fusing stealth airframes with home-grown guided weapons, Ankara is asserting its technological independence and redefining its role in the future of regional and global airpower.
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On June 16, 2025, ASELSAN showcased at the Paris Air Show a full suite of indigenous precision-guided munitions for Türkiye’s future KAAN fifth-generation fighter jet. As reported by TurDef, this includes TOLUN and TOLUN-IIR bombs, LGK laser kits, and the dual-mode Gözde guidance system. ASELSAN will also contribute other critical subsystems to the TAI-developed stealth aircraft. The move highlights the growing maturity of Türkiye’s national defense industry. It also signals Ankara’s intent to pair its domestic fighter with fully indigenous strike capabilities. This step reflects a broader ambition to achieve defense autonomy and reduce foreign dependency.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
ASELSAN’s unveiling of a complete precision bomb suite for KAAN at the Paris Air Show not only highlights the growing maturity of Türkiye’s defense-industrial base but also sends a clear message: the country is ready to supply a fully sovereign fifth-generation strike capability, both for its own needs and for aligned nations (Picture source: Army Recognition Group)
The KAAN, developed by TAI, flew for the first time in early 2024 and has since generated growing international interest, particularly following Indonesia’s role as its first export partner. Designed to compete with aircraft like the F-35 in stealth, avionics fusion and multirole flexibility, the KAAN’s architecture includes internal weapons bays and multiple external pylons, making it an ideal platform for modular smart weapons. ASELSAN’s suite, tailored specifically for the aircraft, features the 250-pound TOLUN bomb for precision strikes at extended range, the TOLUN-IIR variant equipped with an imaging infrared seeker for passive target acquisition in contested electromagnetic environments, and the LGK series, which transforms conventional Mk-80 bombs into laser-guided assets. Notably, the Gözde kit adds dual-mode capability with both laser and GPS/INS guidance, enabling moving-target engagement under diverse weather and countermeasure conditions. Together, these munitions form a complete strike solution for KAAN’s multirole mission set.
Each of these payloads has already undergone significant testing and in-theatre validation. The TOLUN small-diameter bomb entered service with the Turkish Akinci UCAV in 2023, demonstrating over 80 kilometers of range and circular error probable (CEP) under three meters. Its IIR variant was test-fired successfully during winter trials in Konya, hitting camouflaged vehicles in a GPS-denied environment. The LGK kits, already exported and combat-tested in the South Caucasus, have shown excellent accuracy and mid-course correction capability when used with Turkish and Azerbaijani fighter jets. Gözde was more recently tested in April 2025, during which a Turkish F-16 engaged a high-speed moving ground vehicle with a direct hit, validating the kit’s performance and its ability to deliver standoff firepower against mobile targets. The maturity of these systems significantly reduces the timeline and complexity for integration onto KAAN’s airframe and mission systems.
Compared to other smart munitions globally, ASELSAN’s products offer a mix of affordability, modularity, and combat effectiveness. The TOLUN system matches the U.S.-developed GBU-39/B in weight and reach but offers a larger warhead with an indigenous fuse mechanism and flexible seekers. TOLUN-IIR’s passive targeting avoids the RF spectrum vulnerabilities that affect radar-guided bombs, making it especially useful in counter-A2/AD scenarios. The LGK series competes directly with the widely used Paveway IV and Israeli Lizard kits, offering similar terminal accuracy but produced entirely within Turkish supply chains. Gözde’s combination of laser and GPS guidance resembles the GBU-54 Laser JDAM, but with added emphasis on domestic sensor fusion and multi-environment adaptability. These comparisons underscore Türkiye’s effort to deliver a precision strike package competitive with NATO and non-NATO benchmarks, without the need for foreign technology transfer or export approvals.
The strategic consequences of this weapons integration are considerable. First, it signals a decisive move by Ankara to insulate its future air operations from the constraints of international arms export regimes, particularly those driven by Western states. In past years, Türkiye has faced delays and embargoes due to political frictions with allies; equipping KAAN with 100% Turkish munitions eliminates these risks. Second, it transforms KAAN into a true deep-strike and multirole platform, capable of engaging static and mobile targets from standoff distances without compromising stealth. This increases the survivability and lethality of Turkish combat air patrols and force projection missions.
Third, the domestic standardization of seekers, software, and guidance logic across TOLUN, LGK, and Gözde enables fast adaptation to new platforms and targets, allowing Türkiye to scale production and offer attractive export packages to allies and strategic partners. Regionally, this development could prompt reactions from countries with emerging fighter programs, such as the UAE, India or Egypt, who may now seek similar indigenous munitions solutions or closer collaboration with Turkish firms.
ASELSAN’s unveiling of a complete precision bomb suite for KAAN at the Paris Air Show not only highlights the growing maturity of Türkiye’s defense-industrial base but also sends a clear message: the country is ready to supply a fully sovereign fifth-generation strike capability, both for its own needs and for aligned nations. By fusing stealth airframes with home-grown guided weapons, Ankara is asserting its technological independence and redefining its role in the future of regional and global airpower.
