On the global stage of next-generation air combat, Turkey has made a bold and calculated move with its fifth-generation fighter programme, the KAAN. As the country pushes the boundaries of its aerospace capabilities, two recent developments have cemented Turkey’s determination to chart an independent path. The unveiling of the indigenous TF35000 engine and the announcement of a delivery timeline for the first serial production KAAN jet by 2028.
The TF35000 Engine: A Technological Breakthrough
Unveiled on 15 May 2025, the TF35000 turbofan engine represents a significant milestone for Turkey’s defence industry. Developed by Turkish Engine Industries (TEI) under the guidance of the Presidency of Defence Industries (SSB), the TF35000 is designed to deliver 35,000 pounds of thrust, placing it among the most powerful military engines developed outside the traditional defence giants.
What sets the TF35000 apart is not only its sheer power, comparable to the Pratt & Whitney F119 of the F-22 Raptor, but also its entirely domestic development. Built using locally sourced materials and cutting-edge technologies such as high-temperature superalloys, thermal barrier coatings, and innovative cooling systems, the TF35000 enables supersonic performance, high manoeuvrability, and increased fuel efficiency, all hallmarks of a fifth-generation powerplant.
While current KAAN prototypes are powered by General Electric F110-GE-129 engines, TEI’s indigenous engine is expected to eventually replace foreign propulsion units, reducing dependency on U.S. export-controlled components and granting Turkey complete autonomy over engine maintenance, upgrades, and integration.
KAAN: From Prototype to Production
On the bustling sidelines of Teknofest, held at Ercan Airport in Nicosia, Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) announced that the first serially-produced KAAN fighter jet will be delivered to the Turkish Air Force by the end of 2028. This marks a defining moment in a programme that began in 2016, accelerated by Turkey’s exclusion from the F-35 programme in 2019 after acquiring the Russian S-400 air defence system.
Turkey’s decision to fast-track an indigenous fighter was not merely about filling the F-35 void. It was a declaration of technological independence. With the KAAN, Ankara intends to replace its ageing fleet of over 200 F-16s, many of which are nearing obsolescence.
The aircraft’s design reflects this ambition. A twin-engine, multi-role stealth fighter, KAAN is engineered to reach Mach 1.8, operate at 55,000 feet, and carry precision-guided munitions, such as the SOM-J cruise missile, in its internal weapons bay. Its ASELSAN-developed AESA radar allows for sophisticated electronic warfare, situational awareness, and seamless operation in networked battle environments.
Progress So Far: Testing and Timelines
The first KAAN prototype rolled out in March 2023, with its maiden flight taking place on 21 February 2024. Piloted by Barbaros Demirbaş, the jet reached 8,000 feet and a speed of 230 knots, with landing gear extended for safety. A second successful flight followed in May 2024, and a third is scheduled between August and October 2025.
By early 2026, TAI expects to have at least two additional prototypes ready, as the programme enters a critical “serious flight campaign” to test avionics, weapons integration, stealth systems, and flight endurance.
However, the first production batches of KAAN jets will continue using foreign engines – a pragmatic move, as the TF35000 is still undergoing development and is expected to reach operational maturity in the early 2030s. Nevertheless, the long-term vision is clear: a fully indigenous fifth-generation fighter powered by a domestically produced engine.
Competing on the Global Stage
The KAAN is not merely a national platform; it is a potential export contender. With its cost-to-capability balance, it could appeal to countries unable to acquire Western fighters like the F-35 or uninterested in the limited production and export options of the Russian Su-57 or Chinese J-20.
TAI has also drawn heavily on lessons from Turkey’s successful drone programmes, such as the Bayraktar TB2 and the KIZILELMA, ensuring that KAAN is built with interoperability in mind, potentially working alongside unmanned wingmen in future air combat scenarios.
Challenges and Strategic Implications
Despite the progress, the road to 2028 and beyond is not without hurdles. Delays in development or integration could expose gaps in Turkey’s air defences, particularly given its geostrategic position bordering conflict-prone regions like Syria and Iraq.
Still, the TF35000 and KAAN represent more than defence projects as they symbolise Turkey’s determination to control its future in military aviation. By investing in indigenous platforms, Turkey is laying the foundation for strategic autonomy, reducing vulnerabilities associated with foreign arms dependencies, and repositioning itself as a serious aerospace contender.
