Turkish MoD stated that the initial production variant of the KAAN fighter jet, KAAN Block-10, will be introduced to the inventory between 2027 and 2029.
The 2025 activity report of the Turkish MoD includes that KAAN Block-10 fighter jets, as the low-rate initial production (LRIP) batch, will be taken into the Turkish Air Force inventory between 2027 and 2029.
KAAN Block-10, as the LRIP iteration, will use the F110-GE-129 turbofan engines also used by the Turkish F-16 fleet and main avionics such as MURAD 600-A AESA radar, KARAT IRST, and TOYGUN EOTS. Later production batches will use TRMotor-TEI TF35000 turbofan engines with higher thrust, lower thermal signature, and supercruise capability alongside sensor upgrades and armament expansion. As a long-term capability addition, TUSAŞ is developing the OKU MUM-T system to allow KAAN fighters to control ANKA-III stealth UCAV, KIZILELMA unmanned fighter, and SÜPER ŞİMŞEK multi-role UAV.
KAAN has been fleshed out further with the new P1 prototype, which includes aerodynamic and structural refinements closer to the Block-10 configuration as a follow-up to the P0 demonstrator prototype that was used for the maiden flight.
While the refinements and tests will continue in 2026 with TUSAŞ-Turkish Air Force coordination, TÜBİTAK SAGE is working on the internal (Air-to-Air missiles and SOM-J cruise missiles) and external weaponry (Guided bombs and SOM cruise missiles) integration, as reported by the firm’s own 2025 activity report.
Work on avionics testing is also ongoing with ASELSAN MURAD 600-A’s tests and the demonstrations of optical sensors. KARAT IRST and TOYGUN EOTS have been tested on the KIZILELMA unmanned fighter.
Author: Kaan Azman
Editor: Özgür Ekşi
