In his response to a written parliamentary question submitted to the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM), Minister of National Defence Yaşar Güler stated that 10 F110 engines have been delivered to Türkiye under the National Combat Aircraft KAAN project, and that talks with the US are continuing for a new contract covering 80 engines.
Following Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan’s remarks drawing attention to the US Congress licensing process regarding the engines to be used on KAAN, question marks had arisen in the public about the progress of the project. In order to clarify the issue, a written parliamentary question was submitted to the Turkish Grand National Assembly by CHP Tekirdağ MP İlhami Özcan Aygun.
Minister of National Defence Yaşar Güler shared the latest status of the KAAN engine procurement process with the public through his response to the said question.
US-Manufactured F110 Engines Used on KAAN
The National Combat Aircraft KAAN, developed by TUSAŞ, uses F110-GE-129E turbofan engines manufactured by US-based General Electric. Each aircraft is equipped with two engines.
According to Minister Güler’s statement, under two separate subcontracts currently in force between TUSAŞ and GE Aerospace, 10 F110 engines were delivered to Türkiye as of September 2025 in the initial phase. Talks with the US Government are ongoing for the second subcontract covering 80 engines.
Timeline Clarified for the Indigenous TF35000 Engine
Güler also emphasised that the long-term goal of the KAAN project is the use of an indigenous engine. Accordingly, it is planned to use a domestically produced engine in the Block 30 and Block 40 configurations of the National Combat Aircraft KAAN.
Within this framework, the TF35000 engine concept developed by TUSAŞ Engine Industries Inc. (TEI) was selected on 18 March 2024. On 5 August 2024, the Preliminary Design Phase Contract of the MMU Indigenous Engine Development Project was signed between the Presidency of Defence Industries and the TEI–TR Motor Joint Venture.
Officials stated that the preliminary design phase is targeted to be completed in early 2026.
KAAN to Conduct Initial Flights with F110, Later Versions with Indigenous Engine
While the initial versions of the National Combat Aircraft KAAN are planned to enter service with US-origin F110 engines, the use of the indigenous TF35000 engine is envisaged for subsequent blocks. The first tests of the indigenous engine are planned for 2026, while KAAN’s first flight with the TF35000 is targeted for 2032.
This process is regarded as one of the most critical steps taken by Türkiye on the path towards engine independence in the defence industry.
