In a landmark defence deal, Türkiye will export 48 KAAN fighter jets to Indonesia. Turkish President Erdoğan confirmed the agreement via social media.
Türkiye has secured its first international order for the KAAN fifth-generation fighter jet, with 48 aircraft set to be exported to Indonesia. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced the development on social media, said in sum: “Under the agreement signed with our friendly and brotherly country Indonesia, 48 KAAN aircraft will be produced in Türkiye and exported. Indonesian local capabilities will also contribute to KAAN’s production.”
President Erdoğan’s announcement coincidences with the Indo Defence 2025 show in Jakarta. The statement didn't provide any technical detail about the engine type, configuration, or delivery timetable, but it did stress how well the two countries work together.
Turkish Aerospace has issued a press release about the contract and stated that, the signing ceremony held in Jakarta on 11 June was attended by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, President of Defence Industries Haluk Görgün, Indonesian Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, Chairman of TUSAŞ Board of Directors Ömer Cihad Vardan, Deputy Minister of National Defence and Vice Chairman of the TUSAŞ Board Şuay Alpay, and TUSAŞ CEO Dr. Mehmet Demiroğlu. TUSAŞ indicated that the delivery of 48 KAAN will be completed within 120 months and it will be powered by domestically manufactured engines.
The deal also shows that Indonesia’s efforts to diversify its air force's inventory. Jakarta has been adding to its fleet in recent years by buying Rafale fighters from France and talking to the United States about Boeing's F-15IDN. Indonesia's interest in Chinese J-10s and its lower involvement in the KF-21 program with Republic of Korea are other examples of its wide-ranging purchasing policy.
This deal makes Türkiye one of a small number of countries that export fifth-generation fighter jets, which shows how much it is expanding in the global military industry.
It should be noted that TUSAS has also recently secured an agreement with Spain for Hürjet aircraft at FEINDEF. The Hürjet however is an advanced trainer aircraft and it can be used for light attack missions.
Author: Özgür Ekşi
