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5 clusters · 32 sources · 36 days · First seen · Last updated

Turkey KAAN fifth-gen fighter development

Overview

Turkey’s indigenous fifth-generation fighter program, KAAN, has continued its rapid progress through a series of ground-testing milestones. Following dual-flight demonstrations at the Farnborough Airshow on 26 July 2026, Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) completed a powered taxi run of the P1 prototype on 2 August 2026 at its Ankara runway. The test confirmed the operation of brakes, steering, flight-control functions and engine-piston synchronization under the General Electric F110 after-burner engines. It also revealed design refinements such as updated control-surface actuators, a modified cockpit, enlarged air-intake, a larger nose opening for an electro-optical sensor and a wider landing-gear track.

TAI General Manager Mehmet Demiroğlu announced that the second and third prototypes are under development, with the goal of having both the P1 and P2 prototypes airborne by the end of 2026. While the P1 still uses U.S-supplied F110 engines—for which the U.S. Congress cleared the export of 80 units in July 2026—production models are slated to receive the domestically developed TF35 engine. The project has reportedly achieved a domestic content rate of approximately 90%, excluding the engine and ejection seat, with domestic engine testing projected for around 2032.

TAI maintains a schedule for deliveries to the Turkish Air Force by 2028. A configuration integrated with weapons and combat systems is expected to undergo testing in 2027. Defence analysts note growing export interest from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan and Azerbaijan, positioning KAAN as a potential fourth major supplier of fifth-generation fighters.

Entities

Mehmet Demiroğlu · Turkish Air Force · KAAN · Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ) · Turkish Aerospace Industries

Claims

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Coverage disagrees

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Timeline

  1. 15 days ago

    [TECHNOLOGY] 6 sources
    Turkey's KAAN fighter jet program receives US engine support

    Turkey's TAI is developing the KAAN fifth-generation fighter jet. The US has approved the sale of GE-F110 engines to support the program's testing and production.

  2. 23 days ago

    [TECHNOLOGY] 5 sources
    TUSAŞ advances KAAN fighter jet and naval aviation systems

    TUSAŞ is advancing Turkey’s KAAN fighter jet, targeting weapon system integration tests by 2027. The company is also upgrading AKSUNGUR UAVs and integrating sonar into GÖKBEY helicopters.

  3. about 1 month ago

    [TECHNOLOGY] 6 sources
    Turkey's KAAN P1 prototype completes taxi tests ahead of first flight

    Turkey's KAAN P1 prototype performed powered taxi tests in Ankara, confirming systems ahead of a first flight expected by late 2026; the jet uses GE F110 engines with plans for a domestic TF35, and global press

  4. about 2 months ago

    [TECHNOLOGY] 17 sources
    Turkey's KAAN Fighter Prototype Completes Taxi Test

    Turkey’s KAAN P1 prototype completed its first powered taxi test in Ankara on 31 July 2026, moving toward a maiden flight and 2028 delivery to the Turkish Air Force.

  5. about 2 months ago

    [TECHNOLOGY] 4 sources
    Turkey's KAAN 5th‑Gen Fighter Prototype Set for Dual Flight at Farnborough

    At Farnborough, Turkey's TUSAŞ unveiled its KAAN 5th‑gen fighter prototype, pledging a dual‑flight display by year‑end to boost its defence stature.

Sources

61saat.com · aereo.jor.br · airway.com.br · aksam.com.tr · avioblog.it · borsagundem.com · bursahakimiyet.com.tr · donanimhaber.com · fehmarn24.de · finans.mynet.com · freerepublic.com · gazetedamga.com.tr · haber.aero · haber1.com · haber16.com · haber7.com · hna.de · indomiliter.com · kamuajans.com · kks.ch · kreiszeitung.de · leinetal24.de · master.com.cy · merkur.de · op-online.de · ordu.az · quwa.org · savunmatr.com · shiftdelete.net · turkishminute.com · viaggioneltempo.com · yuzde100yerli.com

This summary has been updated 6 times: see revision history