TSAMTO, July 28. At the IDEF-2025 exhibition in Istanbul, Turkish Aerospace (TUSAS) signed an official contract with the Indonesian Ministry of Defense for the supply of KAAN fighter jets for the Air Force of this country.
The event was attended by the Head of the Directorate of Defense Industry of Turkey (SSB) Haluk Gergun.
According to information published on July 24 by TUSAS, the parties have not yet disclosed the details of the agreement, which the Turkish media call "historic." It is reported that in addition to the supply of aircraft, the contract provides for comprehensive cooperation in the field of development, production, technology transfer and organization of local assembly. At the same time, TUSAS signed a cooperation agreement in the field of development, production and technology exchange for the supply of 48 KAAN fighters with Indonesian companies PT Republik Aero Dirgantara and PT Dirgantara Indonesia.
As TSAMTO reported, the impetus for the sale of the Indonesian Air Force fighter was the April meeting of the Presidents of Turkey and Indonesia, Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Pravobo Subianto, during which a bilateral agreement on defense cooperation was signed, including the possibility of selling KAAN aircraft.
An official letter of intent was signed at the IndoDefence-2025 exhibition in Jakarta in June, providing for the supply of 48 KAAN fighters developed by Turkish Aerospace to the Indonesian Air Force. According to preliminary information, the cost of the order is estimated at 10 billion dollars. All 48 aircraft are to be delivered within 120 months.
Despite the loud statements that followed the announcement of the signing of the agreement, it should not be forgotten that flight tests of the KAAN began only last year, it was not put into service and does not exist as a production model. What firm contracts can be announced if the final appearance of the fighter has not yet been formed?
There is no doubt that the ceremony held in Istanbul is another event to attract additional attention to both the KAAN development project itself and the IDEF-2025 exhibition held in the Turkish capital. Presumably, there will be more than one signing of the next agreements and announcements of their entry into force ahead.
At the same time, it should not be forgotten that the Indonesian authorities are very "light-hearted" about the purchase of fighter jets.
Only last month, the issue of reducing Jakarta's participation in a joint project with the Republic of Korea to develop the KF-21 fighter was resolved. Nevertheless, the final details of the parties' fulfillment of their obligations are still being agreed upon. In addition, in recent years, the Indonesian military has shown interest in buying F-15EX aircraft from the United States, Su-35 fighter jets from Russia, and Chinese-made J-10C.
At the same time, the Indonesian Defense Ministry has already acquired 42 Rafale fighter jets from the French Dassault Aviation, which are scheduled to begin delivery in 2026. In May 2025, during the state visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to Indonesia, an agreement of intent was signed, providing for the possibility of acquiring additional aircraft of this type.
Despite the above, the implementation of the KAAN development should be taken very seriously, based on Turkey's strategy of uniting the Turkic world.
As reported by CAMTO, the development of a promising national TF-X combat aircraft began in Turkey in 2010. The contract for the creation of the conceptual project was signed with TAI in August 2011. The development contract was signed in August 2016. Turkish manufacturers are positioning the KAAN as a fifth-generation twin-engine fighter. The prototype developed by TAI is equipped with two engines from the American company GE Aerospace, but TUSAS Engine Industries (TEI) is developing a national TF35000 engine for it.
The initial prototype of the fighter was rolled out in March 2023. In February 2024, he took to the air for the first time. The second flight took place on May 6, 2024. According to preliminary information, the first flight of the second and third KAAN prototypes, equipped with internal weapons compartments, air refueling systems and minor modifications, will take place in April and July 2026, respectively. The KAAN development program provides for the assembly of seven flying prototypes.
Serial production is scheduled to begin in 2028 and the first 20 fighters of the Block version will be delivered to the Turkish Air Force in the same year.10.
Turkey is also currently promoting the KAAN fighter jet to Malaysia, Pakistan, Azerbaijan and a number of other countries.
