TUSAŞ displayed the KAAN fighter jet with Saudi livery at WDS, shortly after the Turkish President Erdoğan’s statement on cooperation with Saudi Arabia.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s recent statement on the matter before the World Defence Show (WDS) 2026 exhibition, and TUSAŞ putting KAAN on display with Saudi livery, signal a new partnership for the project. Aviation Week Editor Tony Osborne photographed the new KAAN scaled model prior to the launch of WDS2026 on the 8th of Feburary.
Erdoğan, after the visit to Saudi Arabia, stated that a joint investment in KAAN with the Gulf country can happen “at any moment”, in response to a question from the press regarding cooperation with Saudi Arabia.
Despite taking its chances for F-35, Saudi Arabia has been taking a look at alternatives to secure a future fleet with stealthy fighters.
So far, Saudi Arabia has made multiple visits to TUSAŞ facilities not long after KAAN’s maiden flight, and most of these visits included inspections of the fighter’s prototype.
Aside from KAAN being a future alternative, there has been a reapproachment between Turkiye and Saudi Arabia, based on mutual interests that has gradually led to larger export deals, with a notable example being the export of AKINCI UCAV.
In addition to its interest in KAAN, the Gulf country is also making a push to join the tri-lateral GCAP programme. However, this push is at a stagnation with support from the UK on one side due to viewing Saudi Arabia as an extra financial pillar, while Japan is pushing back on the other with doubts on technical contributions.
Author: Kaan Azman
Editor: Özgür Ekşi
