The National Interest: KAAN Will Place Türkiye Among the Select Few Nations with a Fifth-Generation Fighter Jet
US-based defence and security outlet The National Interest has published an in-depth analysis of Türkiye’s fifth-generation fighter jet project, KAAN. Author Harrison Kass emphasised that KAAN is not merely a defence initiative but also a geopolitical message from Türkiye.
Kass noted: “Türkiye’s KAAN programme represents a global trend of rising middle powers striving for independence and self-sufficiency.”
Compared with the F-35 and Su-57
The analysis highlighted that KAAN, a twin-engine, multi-role stealth fighter, can be compared with the F-35 and Su-57. Its airframe design, trapezoidal wings, canted tail fins, and internal weapon bays give it advanced stealth capabilities.
The aircraft is expected to serve a wide range of missions, from air superiority to deep strike and network-centric warfare. The cockpit technology is anticipated to include AESA radar, advanced sensor suites, data fusion, and electronic warfare systems, similar to those found in the F-35.
Engine Development as a Key Challenge
The report pointed out that while the first prototypes use General Electric’s F110 engines, Türkiye aims to develop a fully indigenous engine in the long term. Although a domestic engine matching the F110’s performance is not yet available, Ankara remains determined to achieve this goal.
Türkiye as the Fourth Nation
KAAN’s first prototype was unveiled in 2023 and carried out its maiden flight in 2025. If the programme progresses without major setbacks, the aircraft is expected to reach operational capability in the early 2030s, making Türkiye the fourth country—after the US, Russia, and China—to produce a fifth-generation fighter jet.
Geopolitical Implications
The analysis underlined that KAAN is not only a tool of military power but also a strategic asset that could reshape Türkiye’s position within NATO. The jet will enhance Türkiye’s defence capacity and contribution to NATO, while also bolstering Ankara’s autonomy and balancing its influence within the alliance.
Kass concluded: “KAAN is not just an aircraft, but a symbol of Türkiye’s pursuit of independence—much like South Korea’s KF-21 and India’s AMCA projects.”
