Istanbul — Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ) is focused on expanding the flight testing and accelerating the prototype production of the Kaan aircraft. The company aims to deliver the first Kaan aircraft to the Turkish Air Force by the end of 2028.

During an interview with Turkey’s public broadcaster TRT at the Teknofest aerospace and technology festival, TUSAŞ CEO Mustafa Demiroğlu discussed the project’s progress. He revealed that the assembly of the second and third prototypes is currently underway, with a total of four aircraft planned for the testing campaign — three for flight trials and one for ground testing.

Demiroğlu mentioned that the second prototype is expected to be completed early next year and will begin flight testing soon after. He noted, “We’ve now ignited the afterburner on the first aircraft. We are awaiting its third flight – perhaps in August or before October,” though he cautioned that confirmation of the date is still pending.

The Kaan prototypes, along with the first batch of low initial production, will utilize a General Electric F110 afterburning turbofan jet engine. However, the goal is to replace this engine with a domestically produced variant by 2032.

Demiroğlu indicated that the second prototype will feature design revisions informed by insights from the first aircraft, reflecting changes in external shaping and structural improvements. He explained, “The second prototype will look slightly different from the outside – particularly around the air inlets – but the overall size remains the same.”

Originally known as TF-X, the Kaan program represents Turkey’s most ambitious aerospace project. It aims to replace the Turkish Air Force’s aging fleet of F-4E Phantoms and ultimately its F-16s, with performance and survivability comparable to other fifth-generation aircraft.

The Kaan fighter aircraft is designed with several advanced features, including low radar cross-section shaping, internal weapons bays, supercruise capability, and a domestically developed avionics suite. Its first prototype successfully completed its maiden flight in February 2024, and it is currently the only fifth-generation fighter project in Europe with a flying prototype.

Demiroğlu emphasized that there are plans for Kaan to be produced at scale to meet the operational requirements of the Turkish Air Force. He concluded with a statement about the project’s national significance: “Kaan is a national project that we are developing with Turkish engineers and technicians, for the future security and independence of our country.”

Cem Devrim Yaylali serves as a Turkey correspondent for Defense News. He is an avid photographer of military ships and has a passion for writing about naval and defense issues. Born in Paris, France, he now resides in Istanbul, Turkey, and is married with one son.