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Turkish Aerospace confident Kaan fighter prototypes will fly by end 2026 with US-engine deliveries approved
Turkish Aerospace's Kaan fighter program targets prototype flights before year-end after export approval of GE F110 engines amid ongoing US sanctions challenges.
The gist
Turkish Aerospace aims to fly two Kaan fighter prototypes by end-2026 as US clears export of critical F110 engines.
Continuing coverage
All Defense Cooperation →Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) is advancing its Kaan fighter jet development with a firm target to fly its two prototypes, P1 and P2, by the end of 2026. Company CEO Mehmet Demiroglu stated these test flights are imminent, with initial ground tests already underway. He expressed optimism that the first prototype will take to the skies within a couple of months, followed by the second before year’s end, marking a significant milestone in the ambitious indigenous fighter program.
The Kaan fighter project is notable for employing two General Electric F110 turbofan engines per aircraft. However, deliveries of 80 additional F110 engines faced delays due to U.S. sanctions connected to Turkey’s earlier procurement of the Russian S-400 air defense system. TAI retained 10 engines for prototype testing, but the broader serial production engines were held back. Recent developments bring relief as the U.S. Congress authorized export licenses for the engines, allowing TAI to collaborate with GE Aerospace to secure the necessary powerplants for the next production stages.
These sanctions stemmed from the 2019 acquisition of the S-400 system, which also led to Turkey’s removal from the F-35 fighter program, creating lasting complications for its domestic fighter ambitions. Despite some congressional opposition and statements cautioning that engine deliveries remain years away, Demiroglu reassured that timelines for engine receipt align with the two- to two-and-a-half-year horizon before full serial production initiation. This timing is critical to ensuring initial Kaan units meet planned delivery schedules to the Turkish Air Force.
The Kaan program envisages initial operational versions, Block 10 and Block 20, powered by the licensed GE F110 engines. Future iterations, namely Block 30/40 jets anticipated from 2032 onwards, will transition to a domestically developed engine, the TUSAŞ TF35000, marking a strategic move towards more extensive local production and technological sovereignty. This staged approach integrates foreign technology while gradually increasing indigenous capability in fighter engine manufacturing.
International collaboration forms another important facet of the Kaan program. TAI has expanded industrial cooperation with Indonesia, where a contract for 48 Kaan fighters has been secured. While Indonesia will not host an assembly line, its aerospace sector will integrate into the supply chain and provide support to other TAI initiatives. Approximately 60 personnel are currently deployed in Indonesia, with plans to increase this workforce as offset agreements and local industrial participation deepen.
TAI’s CEO underscores the Kaan as the backbone of Turkey’s future air combat power, projecting a program lifespan extending two to three decades. This long-term perspective aligns with Turkey’s strategic imperative to reduce reliance on foreign vendors for key military technologies and to nurture its domestic aerospace industry through sustained investment and export partnerships.
The first demonstrator Kaan flew in February 2024, marking the start of flight testing efforts. The progression to flying two near-production prototypes by the end of 2026 signifies an accelerated timetable intended to keep the ambitious project on schedule despite earlier sanctions and supply chain setbacks. Managing this complex development within Turkey’s defense-industrial framework underscores both strategic ambition and pragmatic adjustments to international political realities.
The path ahead will require careful coordination of engine deliveries, assembling industrial partnerships, and continuing development of the TF35000 engine for future production blocks. While recent export license approvals have cleared a significant hurdle, some uncertainty remains about the exact timeline for comprehensive engine deliveries. Nonetheless, TAI’s leadership remains confident the program will proceed on track with first deliveries targeted for 2028, meeting operational needs of the Turkish Air Force as planned.
Frequently asked questions
- When are the Kaan fighter prototypes expected to fly?
- Turkish Aerospace aims to have the two Kaan prototypes, P1 and P2, complete test flights and airborne by the end of 2026.
- What engine powers the Kaan fighter and are there delivery issues?
- The Kaan uses two GE Aerospace F110 engines; US export licenses were delayed by sanctions but have now been approved, allowing engine deliveries to proceed on time for serial production.
- What is the plan for future Kaan fighter engine variants?
- Initial Block 10 and Block 20 Kaans will use GE F110 engines, while later versions from 2032 will switch to a domestically made Turkish TF35000 engine.
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