
On July 16, 2025, Türkiye’s Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB) placed an official order for the sixth prototype of the KAAN fifth-generation fighter jet, underscoring the country’s commitment to field a fully indigenous advanced combat aircraft. Developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), KAAN represents Türkiye’s most ambitious defense aviation project to date. Initiated in 2016 under the TF-X program, the project aims to replace the Turkish Air Force’s F-16 fleet with a domestically engineered stealth-capable fighter boasting advanced avionics and weapons integration. The aircraft’s development has involved intensive modeling, aerodynamic testing, and simulation-based design evaluations. A full-scale prototype was revealed in 2019 at the Paris Air Show, signaling Türkiye’s serious entry into the next-generation fighter domain. The sixth prototype order demonstrates accelerated progress toward production and operational testing. Türkiye’s investment in KAAN reflects broader strategic goals of technological independence, export capability, and regional air superiority. The program also enhances local industry expertise and supports allied defense partnerships, positioning Türkiye as a potential supplier in the global fifth-generation fighter market. The KAAN is expected to conduct initial test flights in the coming years as development milestones continue.