Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) has commenced production of the second prototype of its fifth-generation fighter jet, the Kaan (formerly TF-X). The milestone marks a significant step forward in Ankara’s ambitions to field an indigenous stealth-capable air superiority platform by the early 2030s. As the program progresses through its prototyping phase, questions remain about timelines, engine integration, and export viability.
Kaan Program Overview and Strategic Context
The Kaan—previously known as TF-X—is Turkey’s flagship next-generation fighter development effort under the Milli Muharip Uçak (MMU) program. Managed by Turkish Aerospace Industries with support from subcontractors such as ASELSAN and Roketsan, the project aims to deliver a multirole stealth aircraft capable of replacing aging F-4E Phantoms and eventually supplementing or replacing F-16s in Turkish Air Force service.
The Kaan is designed to meet fifth-generation criteria including low observability (LO), supercruise capability, advanced sensor fusion, and network-centric warfare features. It is intended to operate alongside other Turkish platforms such as the Bayraktar Kızılelma UCAV and Hürjet advanced trainer/light attack jet within a broader integrated air combat ecosystem.
Turkey launched the MMU program in 2016 following its removal from the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program due to procurement of Russian S-400 air defense systems. Since then, Ankara has doubled down on domestic aerospace capabilities as part of a broader defense industrial independence strategy.
Second Prototype Production Begins
According to Turkish officials and reporting by The Aviationist, production activities for the second flying prototype began in September 2025 at TAI’s facilities outside Ankara. This follows successful taxi tests and initial flight trials conducted with Prototype P0 earlier this year.
The second prototype—designated P1—is expected to incorporate refinements based on data collected during ground and flight testing of P0. These include aerodynamic adjustments, structural reinforcements for high-G maneuvering envelopes, and further integration work on avionics subsystems. The P1 airframe will also serve as a critical testbed for validating mission systems architecture ahead of serial production planning later in the decade.
TAI has stated that it aims to produce at least three flying prototypes before transitioning into low-rate initial production (LRIP), currently projected for 2028–2029 depending on funding continuity and technical risk mitigation.
Engine Integration Challenges Persist
A major hurdle for the Kaan program remains propulsion. The first prototypes are powered by General Electric F110-GE-129 engines—also used in late-block F-16s—which were acquired under U.S. export licenses prior to recent geopolitical tensions. However, these engines are not optimized for fifth-generation performance standards such as supercruise or reduced infrared signature.
Turkey has declared its intention to develop an indigenous turbofan engine suitable for future blocks of Kaan fighters via TRMotor—a subsidiary of BMC Power—but this effort is still in early stages. In parallel, Ankara has explored potential cooperation with Rolls-Royce and Ukrainian firm Ivchenko-Progress; however, no definitive agreements have materialized amid technology transfer disputes.
- P0/P1 Engines: GE F110-GE-129 (non-stealth optimized)
- Future Engine Goal: Indigenous low-observable afterburning turbofan (~130 kN class)
- Engine Milestone Target: Operational indigenous engine by ~2033
This propulsion gap could limit early production batches’ performance envelope relative to peer fifth-gen platforms like China’s J-20 or Russia’s Su-57 until a domestic solution matures.
Sensors and Avionics Development Status
The Kaan will feature an indigenously developed AESA radar system produced by ASELSAN under Project MURAD. Initial radar prototypes have reportedly entered lab testing phases with plans for airborne integration trials on modified testbeds within two years.
Beyond radar capabilities, TAI aims to integrate a full suite of onboard sensors including electro-optical/infrared targeting systems (EO/IR), electronic support measures (ESM), distributed aperture systems (DAS), and secure data links compatible with NATO C4ISR standards such as Link 16.
A key element will be sensor fusion software enabling real-time threat prioritization across multiple domains—a hallmark capability that distinguishes true fifth-gen fighters from legacy platforms retrofitted with modern avionics.
Cockpit & Mission Systems Features
- Panoramic glass cockpit with touch interfaces
- Helmet-mounted display system (HMDS)
- Artificial intelligence-assisted decision support tools
- NATO-interoperable communications suite
Kaan’s Role Within Turkey’s Future Airpower Architecture
The MMU/Kaan is being developed not just as a standalone aircraft but as part of an integrated manned-unmanned teaming concept involving:
- Kızılelma UCAV: Stealthy loyal wingman drone developed by Baykar; designed for high-subsonic operations alongside manned fighters.
- Anka III: Flying-wing UCAV optimized for strike missions with internal weapons bays; complementary ISR/strike role envisioned alongside Kaan squadrons.
- MELTEM III & GÖKTÜRK Satellites: Space-based ISR assets feeding into joint targeting networks with manned assets like Kaan at center stage.
This approach mirrors concepts pursued by NATO members including NGAD (USAF), FCAS/SCAF (France/Germany/Spain), and GCAP/Tempest (UK/Japan/Italy). However, Turkey faces unique challenges due to limited access to Western high-end subsystems following sanctions post-S400 acquisition—necessitating greater domestic innovation or alternative sourcing strategies from non-NATO partners like Pakistan or Ukraine.
Tentative Timeline Toward IOC Milestone
The roadmap laid out by TAI suggests an ambitious but potentially achievable path toward Initial Operational Capability (IOC):
- P0 First Flight: February 2025 ✅
- P1 Rollout: Expected Q3–Q4 2026 ️
- P3 Full Systems Integration Aircraft: Targeted Q4 2027
- LIRP Start Date: Tentatively 2028–2029
- Kaan IOC Date: No earlier than 2031–2033
This timeline assumes continued government funding (~$1.3B allocated through 2025) and absence of major delays in engine development or mission systems integration phases. Export interest has been expressed by Pakistan and Azerbaijan but will depend heavily on platform maturity and political alignment at delivery timeframes.
A Critical Juncture Ahead for Turkish Aerospace Ambitions
The launch of P1 prototype production represents more than just another assembly milestone—it signals Turkey’s determination to join the elite club capable of designing fifth-generation combat aircraft indigenously. While technical hurdles remain—particularly around propulsion—the overall pace suggests political will remains strong behind MMU/Kaan despite budgetary pressures from ongoing regional conflicts.
If successful within projected timelines—and assuming viable powerplant solutions emerge—the Kaan could become both a cornerstone of Turkish airpower strategy through mid-century and a potential export offering for select allied nations seeking alternatives outside US/Russian spheres.
