The author with his experiences in Leonardo Helicopters, Piaggio Aero and Meritor, is a senior aerospace engineer.

ISTANBUL 

The year 2025 is proving to be a landmark for the Turkish aerospace sector, with a series of high-profile announcements and international agreements that underscore the country’s growing prominence in global defense and aviation markets.

May 14 - Madrid: Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), the Spanish Ministry of Defense, and Airbus signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the export (and joint manufacturing of selected subsystems) of the Hürjet, Türkiye’s advanced jet trainer and light attack aircraft.

June 16 - Le Bourget: announcement at the Paris Airshow of the joint venture, named LBA Systems, between Baykar and the Italian conglomerate Leonardo for the design, development, manufacturing and technical support of unmanned aerial systems.

And, just a few days before, on June 11, at the INDO Defence 2025 exhibition in Jakarta, Türkiye and the Indonesian Air Force finalized a groundbreaking export agreement -- one of the most significant in Turkish aerospace history: the sale of 48 KAAN fifth-generation fighter jets, currently under development by Turkish Aerospace Industries. The historic deal was first announced by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in a post on X, stating: "This agreement, which demonstrates the progress and current level of our national defense industry, will bring prosperity to both Türkiye and Indonesia” and added: “Indonesia's local capabilities will also be utilized in the production of KAAN.”

The signing ceremony was attended by high-ranking officials from both countries. These included Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Türkiye’s Defense Industries President Haluk Gorgun, and TAI CEO Mehmet Demiroglu, among others. The agreement outlines strategic cooperation aimed at fostering knowledge exchange and strengthening local aerospace capabilities in both countries. With this first export success, Türkiye joins the exclusive group of nations capable not only of designing, developing, and producing fifth-generation fighter aircraft but also of securing export orders for them.

The KAAN program: A technological milestone

Formerly known as TF-X, the KAAN represents the pinnacle of Turkish aerospace engineering. It is a fifth-generation, multi-role combat aircraft featuring high maneuverability, low radar visibility, AI-powered avionics, and advanced network-centric warfare capabilities. The aircraft completed its maiden flight on Feb. 21, 2024, followed by a second flight on May 6, 2024. It is expected to enter operational service by 2028. Deliveries to Indonesia are scheduled to begin in the early 2030s and are projected to be completed over a 10-year period. According to Turkish media, the deal with Indonesia is valued at $15 billion. It is expected to accelerate production, foster integration of a new engine, the TF-35000 by TUSAS Engine Industries (TEI), and pave the way for economies of scale, potentially making KAAN more competitive on the international market.

Indonesia’s changing strategy and regional implications

Indonesia, currently operating a mixed fleet of US-made F-16s and aging Russian Sukhoi jets, had initially partnered with South Korea on the KF-21 Boramae project, but economic constraints led Jakarta to reduce its participation, with additional concerns around technology transfer.

Indonesia has also explored alternatives. In August 2023, it signed an MoU with Boeing for the F-15EX, although the agreement still awaits government approval and faces challenges such as the recently announced US tariffs. Indonesia is also reportedly considering acquiring additional Dassault Rafale jets, having already ordered 42 of them in 2022.

The KAAN deal further strengthens the growing defense ties between Türkiye and Indonesia. In February 2025, Baykar signed a joint venture agreement with Indonesian firm Republikorp to establish a drone manufacturing facility in the country.

Could other ASEAN nations follow Indonesia’s lead?

Given the deepening economic and defense ties between Türkiye and Indonesia, both Muslim-majority nations, the question arises: could other ASEAN countries also consider the KAAN for their defense needs? As a non-US platform, KAAN may avoid some of the geopolitical complications tied to US-made aircraft like the F-16 or F-35. It could also offer a more cost-effective alternative.

Initial ASEAN interest may remain focused on proven platforms such as the F-15EX or the Rafale. Wider adoption of KAAN will likely depend on a mix of political relations with Türkiye, offset agreements, and how well the aircraft integrates with existing military systems. Malaysia appears to be the most likely next customer in the area, having been formally offered a partnership on KAAN project by TAI. The Philippines and Vietnam may also express interest, but their decisions will hinge on cost, capabilities, and strategic considerations. Meanwhile, Singapore and Thailand are likely to remain cautious, balancing modernization needs with their existing interoperability with Western allies. For smaller nations like Myanmar, Cambodia, and Brunei, the cost of acquiring advanced fighters like the KAAN may remain prohibitive due to limited defense budgets.

Türkiye’s aerospace industry has taken a decisive step onto the world stage in 2025. The KAAN’s success in securing its first major export deal is a signal of Türkiye’s ambition to become a global player in advanced defense technologies. The next few years will reveal whether this ambition can translate into broader international adoption and a redefined balance in global fighter jet markets.

*Opinions expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect Anadolu's editorial policy.​​​​​​​