The second and third prototypes, P1 and P2, as the workhorses of the flight testing campaign, are nearing the end of their production at TUSAŞ facilities.
Aviation Week reported that KAAN’s P1 and P2 prototypes have moved into system integration. After the new prototypes are completed, they are planned to begin flying in 2026 spring.
P1 and P2 will have a series of external and internal refinements compared to the P0 prototype, which performed its maiden flight in February 2024. The refinements will allow TUSAŞ to start the more rigorous phase of flight tests.
Four other prototypes will be produced for different aspects of the testing phase. However, the last three will be the point where the design converges to the production standard.
148 Units as Initial Order
For now, the serial production will start with a total order of 148 units. While there is not much detail on the customer share, 48 may be from Indonesia. During IDEF2025, Indonesia finalised the strategic deal with Turkiye for 48 KAAN fighters to be delivered in 10 years. While this possibility leaves 100 for the Turkish Air Force, this number will likely be increased, considering the number of legacy fighters to be retired.
TUSAŞ Prepares for Sixth-Generation Fighter
TUSAŞ CEO Mehmet Demiroğlu stated to Aviation Week that the firm has started exploring the concept of a sixth-generation fighter. As the sixth-generation fighter definition is still vague, all countries working on such fighters have different sets of design features in accordance with their own requirements.
Similarly, the ROK, having developed and nearing the fielding of its KF-21 fighter, has started its research into sixth-generation fighter development.
Author: Kaan Azman
Editor:Özgür Ekşi
