Turkey has officially confirmed the purchase of the first batch of KAAN Block 10 fighter jets for its air force during the SAHA defence fair, held in Istanbul.
The initial agreement covers the acquisition of 20 locally developed aircraft, marking an important step in Turkey’s project for technological independence in the military sector.
According to representatives from Turkish Aerospace, the number of aircraft on order is expected to grow in the coming years. The first units are expected to be delivered by 2028 and will initially use General Electric F110-GE-129 engines, the same ones used in Turkish F-16s. The future goal is to replace these engines with domestically produced versions.
The KAAN programme had already gained ground in the international market after Indonesia signed a contract to acquire 48 aircraft in 2025. The deal, valued at more than US$ 10 billion, provides for deliveries over a decade and reinforces foreign interest in Turkey’s new-generation fighter jet.
Developed since 2010 to replace the ageing F-16 fleet, the KAAN was designed with a focus on low radar detection, high manoeuvrability and integration with modern weapons. The fighter jet made its first flight in February 2024 and is expected to operate with domestically produced short-, medium- and long-range missiles, as well as advanced cruise missiles manufactured by Turkey’s defence industry.
Türkiye’s Defense Industries Secretariat SSB and Turkish Aerospace Industries TUSAŞ/TAI signed the first procurement contract for the domestically developed KAAN fifth-generation fighter jet during SAHA 2026 in Istanbul.
The contract covers the first batch of 20 KAAN Block-10… pic.twitter.com/SoXDlLw5Zq
— 武蔵 Æýà 🇯🇵 | NAATO (@Musashi_AEya) May 10, 2026
Source: Militarnyi | Photo: X @Musashi_AEya | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
