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Turkish Aerospace Industries has confirmed that the first full-scale flight prototype of the national KAAN fighter is expected to make its maiden flight in May or, at the latest, June 2026. The program is currently using three specialized flight prototypes, while the start of serial deliveries has been shifted to 2029 to better align with the test schedule and production readiness.
On January 23, 2026, Turkish Aerospace Industries CEO Mehmet Demiroğlu stated that the first prototype is undergoing final ground checks, including systems testing, verification of fuel infrastructure, electrical networks, and structural vibration resistance. Each aircraft must complete several months of such testing before being cleared for flight. The initial flight had originally been planned for late April, but the timeline was moved to May or June due to final technical adjustments.
The second flight prototype is expected by the end of 2026, while the third is set to join the test program in late 2026 or early 2027. This approach allows flight testing and production preparation to proceed in parallel, reducing the overall program timeline.
In parallel, the engineering prototype – which already completed two flights in 2024 – continues to be used. It is no longer involved in further flight operations and is now dedicated exclusively to ground checks and system-level testing. This enables the main flight-test workload to be concentrated on the newer prototypes.
Serial production of the KAAN is now officially targeted for 2029 instead of the previously stated 2028. The initial order is expected to include 20 aircraft for the Turkish Air Force. This batch will form the basis for the gradual replacement of the F-16 fleet, which is planned to be phased out starting in the early 2030s.
In the initial phase, the KAAN will use U.S.-made General Electric F110 engines in the Block 10 and Block 20 configurations. These engines are already in service with Turkey’s F-16s and benefit from an established maintenance infrastructure. Between 20 and 40 aircraft are planned to be produced with the F110. While the program’s target thrust is around 15,875 kg, the F110 – rated between 13,154 kg and 13,608 kg – is considered sufficient for the early serial variants.
In parallel, TRMotor and TUSAS Engine Industries are working on the indigenous TF35000 engine. Its integration with the KAAN airframe is planned to be completed by 2032. The TF35000 is designed to deliver thrust at the 15,875 kg level and will play a key role in achieving full technological autonomy for the program.
Export potential is also shaping the project’s development. Turkey has signed a framework agreement with Indonesia worth around $15 billion, with Jakarta viewed as the first foreign customer for the KAAN. The Indonesian side has stated it is willing to wait for a non-ITAR-restricted version powered by a national engine, rather than early variants equipped with U.S.-made powerplants. Further stages of this agreement are expected to be finalized during 2026.
To date, the KAAN has already confirmed its basic flight characteristics. The first flight took place on February 21, 2024, lasting 13 minutes. The aircraft reached a speed of 230 knots and climbed to an altitude of around 2,400 meters. The second flight, conducted on May 6, 2024, lasted 14 minutes and was flown at approximately 3,000 meters, maintaining the same speed.
In 2025, it became known that the second prototype received redesigned air intakes and a reinforced airframe structure. In addition, Aselsan unveiled a fully Turkish weapons package for the KAAN, further reducing dependence on foreign suppliers. By September 2025, the second prototype had already entered the systems integration phase, indicating a growing maturity of the production process.
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Source: armyrecognition