Ankara, February 10 - Türkiye is on the verge of finalizing a significant defense partnership with Saudi Arabia centered on the KAAN fifth-generation stealth fighter jet, a flagship project of the country's indigenous aerospace industry. Recent statements from high-level officials indicate that negotiations have advanced to their most intensive stage, with Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) describing the discussions as having reached the "highest level." This momentum follows prolonged talks and aligns with broader efforts to deepen bilateral defense ties between Ankara and Riyadh, potentially leading to a formal agreement within the coming months or even sooner this year.
The KAAN program, developed by TAI over nearly a decade, represents Türkiye's ambitious push toward technological sovereignty in advanced military aviation. Designed as a twin-engine, stealth-capable aircraft, it aims to replace aging F-16 fleets in the Turkish Air Force while offering superior air superiority, multirole capabilities, and low observability features comparable to leading global fifth-generation fighters. With prototypes nearing flight testing and initial deliveries to the Turkish Air Force targeted for 2028, the project has garnered strong international attention as a cost-effective alternative in the competitive fighter jet market.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has highlighted the positive reception KAAN has received abroad, noting that joint investment opportunities with Saudi Arabia could materialize at any moment. Such a collaboration would likely involve shared funding, technology transfer, or localized production elements, helping offset the substantial development costs of the program. This potential deal builds on existing defense industry cooperation between the two nations and follows Türkiye's successful export agreement with Indonesia for 48 KAAN aircraft, valued at over $10 billion, which includes co-production and long-term technology sharing.
A partnership with Saudi Arabia would mark a strategic milestone for the KAAN program, enhancing its export potential and reinforcing Türkiye's position as an emerging player in global aerospace and defense manufacturing. As discussions continue to progress rapidly, an official announcement could reshape regional defense dynamics and accelerate the realization of this cutting-edge fifth-generation fighter jet on the international stage.
