The National Combat Aircraft KAAN is set to cross borders, with a landmark agreement to export 48 units to Indonesia over the next 10 years. President Tayyip Erdoğan made the announcement, highlighting the significance of the deal for both countries.

“Within the framework of the agreement we signed with our freind and brother Indonesia, 48 KAANs will be produced in Türkiye and exported to Indonesia.Indonesia’s local capabilities will also be utilized in the production of KAAN,” said Erdoğan, emphasizing the collaborative nature of the project.

Erdoğan also extended his gratitude to Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto for his role in facilitating the agreement. “I extend my greetings and thanks to my esteemed counterpart, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, who played a major role in the signing of the agreement through the will he displayed.”

The President further congratulated all contributing organizations, particularly the Presidency of Defense Industries and TUSAŞ, for their work on the KAAN project. “I congratulate all our organizations, especially our Presidency of Defense industries and TUSAŞ, who contributed to the production of KAAN and the signing of this record export contract in Türkiye’s history,” erdoğan stated.

Valued at over $10 billion,this agreement represents Türkiye’s largest single-item defense product export. The KAAN’s export to Indonesia is expected to elevate Türkiye among the few nations capable of exporting 5th-generation fighter jets, while also generating considerable economic benefits.The deal is also expected to improve the KAAN project’s long-term viability and reduce mass production expenses.

The signing ceremony in Jakarta was attended by several high-ranking officials, including Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Presidential Defense Industries Director Haluk Görgün, Indonesian Defense Minister sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, TUSAŞ Board Chairman Ömer Cihad Vardan, Deputy Minister of National Defense and TUSAŞ Board Deputy Chairman Şuay Alpay, and TUSAŞ General Manager Mehmet Demiroğlu.The agreement stipulates that the delivery of the 48 National Combat Aircraft KAANs will be completed within 120 months.

The KAAN aircraft delivered to Indonesia will feature engines produced using national resources. The agreement also encompasses the transfer of aviation technology to Indonesia, aiming to foster facts sharing and develop local expertise through strategic cooperation between the two nations. Furthermore, Indonesia’s local capabilities will be integrated into the KAAN’s production process.

Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat and Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır both lauded the KAAN’s export. Bolat highlighted the agreement as a testament to the advancements in Türkiye’s high-tech defense industry, noting, “While this agreement highlights the peak our high-tech defense industry has reached in exports, it will also bring about an exemplary joint production model that combines the capabilities of both countries.”

Minister Kacır added, “Here is the Turkish Century. Having developed it’s own 5th-generation fighter jet, the great and powerful Türkiye is now signing agreements to export fighter jets to friendly and brotherly countries. May the project of producing 48 KAANs in Türkiye and exporting them to Indonesia, wich was realized in line with the will of our esteemed presidents, be beneficial for our countries.”

Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB) President Haluk Görgün shared his sentiments on X, stating, “In our aviation journey spanning over a century, we are now experiencing the pride of sharing our own 5th-generation fighter jet with friendly countries. Under the leadership of our President Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, our national technology initiative is going beyond borders, and the signature of Turkish engineering is now shaping the global security architecture. This project will be one of the moast concrete examples of joint production, technology sharing, and strategic cooperation.”

KAAN’s Capabilities and Future Role

“Here is the Turkish Century. Having developed its own 5th-generation fighter jet, the great and powerful Türkiye is now signing agreements to export fighter jets…”

The National Combat Aircraft KAAN, primarily developed by TAI, is slated to replace the F-16s currently in use by the Turkish Air Force Command, with a gradual phase-out expected to begin in the 2030s. The KAAN Development project Contract was formalized with the SSB on August 5, 2016. As a 5th-generation multi-role combat aircraft, KAAN offers advanced capabilities for both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.

Following the completion of production and assembly of the first prototype, KAAN underwent ground tests before its first flight on February 21, 2024, during which it remained airborne for 13 minutes, reaching an altitude of 8,000 feet and a speed of 230 knots. The second test flight occurred on May 6, 2024, with the aircraft airborne for 14 minutes, attaining an altitude of 10,000 feet and a speed of 230 knots.

Further Defense Cooperation

In related news, a second contract has been established between ROKETSAN and Indonesia’s PT RDI for the supply of the ATMACA Anti-Ship Missile and Weapon System. This agreement, stemming from collaborations at Indo Defense 2025 in Jakarta, falls under a Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) aimed at enhancing local capabilities in Indonesia for missile technology assembly, production, and sustainability. This contract expands ROKETSAN’s role in modernizing Indonesia’s naval forces.