Mehmet Demiroğlu, CEO of Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ), told Anadolu Agency that 2025 was a major year for exports, but highlighted that sustaining those gains now depends on how effectively programmes are executed and delivered.
Demiroğlu said the KAAN fighter export deal with Indonesia, valued at around $15 billion, represents the largest defence export in Türkiye’s history. He described its impact on programme momentum rather than presenting it as an endpoint.He also cited the year-end announcement of a 30-aircraft HÜRJET deal with Spain, describing it as a step into European and NATO markets rather than a regional sale. According to Demiroğlu, the agreement demonstrated Türkiye’s ability to field and export jet trainer aircraft to alliance members.
While export activity remained strong, Demiroğlu underlined that TUSAŞ’s primary focus is now shifting toward serial production and deliveries across multiple platforms. GÖKBEY has entered serial production, while delivery-driven schedules are being prioritised for HÜRKUŞ, HÜRJET and unmanned systems.
On the KAAN programme, Demiroğlu said the P1 and P2 prototypes are expected to begin flight testing in 2026, with the main test aircraft currently under construction. He described the upcoming flight phase as a key programme milestone rather than a symbolic event.
Demiroğlu also said ANKA III has entered serial production following design updates. A lower-observable configuration is planned toward the end of 2026, Demiroğlu hinted.
He also stated that TUSAŞ plans to deliver 22 HÜRKUŞ aircraft this year. According to the timeline outlined, HÜRJET’s first delivery-configuration flight is expected in the first half of 2026, with deliveries planned to begin in 2027 once flight testing is completed.
Author: Özgür Ekşi
