KAAN, one of the flagship projects of the Turkish defence industry, is going global. As part of the IDEF 2025 International Defence Industry Fair, an official contract was signed between Turkey and Indonesia for the sale of 48 KAAN fighter jets.
Developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries Inc. (TUSAŞ) under the coordination of the Presidency of Defence Industries, KAAN is now part of the largest defence export agreement in the history of the Turkish Republic.
The signing ceremony was attended by:
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President of Defence Industries Haluk Görgün
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Indonesian Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin
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Chairman of the Board of TUSAŞ Ömer Cihad Vardan
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Deputy Minister of National Defence Şuay Alpay
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TUSAŞ CEO Mehmet Demiroğlu
“A Long-Term Partnership Has Been Established”
Speaking at the ceremony, President of Defence Industries Haluk Görgün stated:
“This is not just a sales agreement—it is the beginning of a sustainable technological partnership. Joint work will be carried out with a sister company in Indonesia for the production of KAAN. Technology sharing, human resource development, and local capacity building are the pillars of this model.”
Görgün recalled that an intergovernmental preliminary agreement had been signed approximately a month and a half ago, and announced that the final contract was now executed by TUSAŞ.
“The first export of our fifth-generation fighter jet is being made to our friendly and brotherly country, Indonesia. Congratulations,” he said.
The Strategic Dimension of a Historic Deal
This agreement is not only a major export success but also a strong indication of the international recognition of Turkey’s capabilities and reliability in defence technologies. The contract signed with Indonesia includes critical components such as technology transfer and joint production for the manufacturing processes of the KAAN aircraft.
Görgün also noted:
“Our goal is not only to build the best systems but to do so in cooperation with our allied countries. Sustainable partnerships in defence are essential for ensuring peace and deterrence.”
Defence Industry Milestones at IDEF 2025
IDEF 2025 stands out not only with the KAAN deal but also with other major projects. During the same fair, TAIS Shipyard signed a contract with Indonesia for an advanced frigate project for the navy. Supported by the integrated solutions of Turkish defence giants such as ASELSAN, ROKETSAN, HAVELSAN, TÜBİTAK SAGE, and BİLGEM, the project further enhances Turkey’s naval export capabilities.
New Talks Underway
President Haluk Görgün also confirmed that talks with other countries regarding KAAN are ongoing:
“There are many countries. We will share updates with the public as negotiations conclude,” he stated.
