Turkish Aerospace Industries President Kotil recently announced the latest progress of the country's own fifth-generation stealth fighter "KAAN", saying that "KAAN" will begin to prepare for mass production, which is expected to be handed over to the Turkish Air Force by 2028, and the production of this model will reach at least 20 in four years.
This is just an initial plan, and according to earlier announcements, Turkey hopes to purchase up to 250 "KAAN" fighter jets between 2029 and 2040, which is already a considerable amount for a medium power like Turkey. Of course, this also reflects Turkey's determination to be unwilling to be constrained by the United States and vow to rise to become a fifth-generation aircraft power.
Turkey was also a participant in the joint U.S. F-35 stealth fighter program, not only participating in the development and production of the F-35, but also customizing the F-35 fighter. However, because Turkey insisted on cooperating with Russia to introduce the S-400 anti-aircraft missile system, it was "terminated" by the United States. Even then, Turkey has not abandoned the S-400.
Moreover, Turkey also insisted on launching its own fifth-generation aircraft, that is, "KAAN". The aircraft was tested on the ground last year, and in February this year, the aircraft made its first test flight.
Turkey is very satisfied with the "KAAN" after the first flight. Kotil declared that the overall performance of the "KAAN" fighter is better than that of the American F-35, for example, the F-35 has a load of 6 tons, while the load of the "KAAN" can reach 10 tons. The F-35 is a single-engine fighter, but the "KAAN" is a twin-engine model, which means that the flight performance, radar system and other configurations will be more powerful. In addition, Kotil stressed that the engine problem must also be resolved, and it is expected that by 2028-2029, the engines of the "KAAN" will be produced in Turkey, and the fighter will be "100% domestic".
It can be seen that Turkey's expectations for "KAAN" are very high, in the eyes of Turkey, the performance of "KAAN" is better than the F-35, with the "KAAN" fighter, what else does Turkey need for the American-made F-35?
In fact, this year there was information that the United States is trying to "persuade Turkey." The demand from the United States is that if Turkey can abandon the Russian S-400, then the F-35 can still be given. However, Turkey was very resolute, not only rejecting the US proposal, but also demanding that the United States pay money - compensation for the losses of the Turkish side on the F-35 project.
It can be seen that Turkey is now also determined to explore the growth of its defense industry on its own, and is no longer willing to be controlled by others. Although the F-35 does not have a temporary impact on Turkey, if the "KAAN" is really successful, then Turkey will no longer need to look at the face of the United States, and even the "KAAN" may become a competitor of the United States in the fifth generation aircraft.