Ankara, October 1 - Turkey's ambitious push into fifth-generation fighter jet technology has reached a pivotal milestone with the second prototype of the KAAN fighter jet now entering full production at Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) facilities. Unveiled through an official photograph released by the Turkish Armed Forces Foundation on September 26, 2025, the skeletal airframe of this advanced stealth aircraft, designated as P1, stands as a testament to Ankara's relentless drive for aerospace independence. Amidst a backdrop of geopolitical tensions and export ambitions, the KAAN program, originally launched as the TF-X initiative in 2010, is accelerating toward operational reality, positioning Turkey as a formidable player in the global defense market. This development bolsters the Turkish Air Force's modernization efforts and signals potential disruptions to established powers like the United States' F-35 dominance, as nations seek alternatives unencumbered by political strings. With its sleek, low-observable design and supercruise capabilities, the KAAN fighter jet embodies Turkey's vision of a self-reliant military-industrial complex, drawing international eyes from Asia to the Middle East. The journey to this production phase has been marked by rapid prototyping and rigorous testing, underscoring KAAN's evolution from concept to combat-ready platform.
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The first prototype, P0, rolled out in March 2023 and soared on its maiden flight in February 2024, reaching 10,000 feet by May and successfully igniting twin-engine afterburners during ground tests in December. These milestones, achieved despite initial reliance on General Electric F110-GE-129 turbofan engines, the same powering Turkey's F-16 fleet, have provided invaluable data for refinements. Now, the P1 prototype advances with noticeable tweaks, including potentially repositioned air intakes for enhanced aerodynamics, as observed in recent imagery. TAI engineers are integrating sophisticated indigenous systems, such as active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars, AI-driven sensor fusion, and electronic warfare suites, all developed domestically to mitigate foreign dependencies. This second KAAN prototype, still devoid of panels, vertical stabilizers, and a nose cone in its current bare form, is slated for its inaugural flight in the final quarter of 2025, paving the way for a fleet of up to six test aircraft. As production ramps up at TAI's Kahramankazan plant, the line's capacity, currently eight jets annually, is set for expansion, heralding the dawn of serial manufacturing for this fifth-generation marvel. Technically, the KAAN fighter jet is engineered to rival elite peers like the F-35 Lightning II, China's J-20 Mighty Dragon, and Russia's Su-57 Felon, boasting a maximum takeoff weight of 60,000 pounds, top speeds exceeding Mach 1.8, and a service ceiling of 55,000 feet.
Its internal weapons bays accommodate precision-guided munitions while maintaining a radar cross-section minimized through advanced composite materials and shaping, ensuring stealth in contested airspace. High maneuverability, coupled with supercruise without afterburners, extends operational range and endurance, critical for Turkey's strategic needs in the volatile Eastern Mediterranean and beyond. Yet, challenges persist: The U.S. Congress's suspension of F110 engine export licenses, announced amid a September 2025 Trump-Erdogan summit, threatens timelines for early Block-0 and Block-1 variants. In response, Turkey is fast-tracking the TEI-TF35000 indigenous engine, a 35,000-pound-thrust powerhouse with superalloy components and efficient cooling, eyeing ground tests in 2026 and full integration by 2032. This pivot not only safeguards the program but amplifies its appeal to partners wary of American vetoes, transforming potential hurdles into opportunities for technological sovereignty. The implications of the second KAAN prototype's production ripple far beyond Turkey's borders, fueling export deals and reshaping alliances in the fifth-generation fighter arena. In a landmark July 2025 agreement at the Indo Defense Expo, Indonesia committed to 48 KAAN jets in a $10 billion pact, marking Turkey's inaugural foreign sale and bolstering Jakarta's airpower against regional rivals like Singapore's F-35 fleet.
Interest surges from Pakistan, Egypt, now a co-production partner, Azerbaijan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Malaysia, and even Ukraine, with exploratory talks hinting at collaborative manufacturing. For the Turkish Air Force, initial deliveries of 20 Block-10 aircraft are projected by late 2028, replacing aging F-16s and F-4 Phantoms while injecting over $2.4 billion annually into TAI's economy through scaled output. Geopolitically, the KAAN elevates Turkey's stature as a NATO innovator and defense exporter, offering a cost-effective stealth alternative that circumvents U.S. restrictions. As the P1 airframe takes shape, it symbolizes more than machinery; it's a declaration of resilience, innovation, and strategic autonomy, poised to redefine aerial warfare dynamics well into the 2040s. With prototypes multiplying and engines indigenizing, the KAAN's ascent promises to soar, captivating defense enthusiasts and strategists alike in this era of multipolar skies.