Turkey announces fifth-generation fighter KAAN - replacing the F-16, featuring the latest weaponry and a speed of 2,222km/h

Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan have announced a fifth-generation fighter jet. It is called KAAN.

Here's What We Know

The Turkish president spoke at the TAI Aerospace Centre in Kahramankazan, which is located near Ankara. The head of state called the fifth-generation fighter jet "a source of pride" and officially announced that the aircraft was called KAAN. It was previously listed as the Turkish Fighter Experimental (TF-X).

The fifth-generation fighter jet rolled out in front of the public for the first time today, May 1. KAAN appeared in the public eye accompanied by the TAI Hürjet, which took to the skies for the first time a few days ago.

Turkey has long been working on a new generation fighter jet. The aircraft is being developed under the Milli Muharip Ucak (MMU) programme. The first versions of the design appeared 10 years ago at the 2013 Istanbul International Exhibition.

The KAAN will be a replacement for the fourth-generation American F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters. Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the new Turkish aircraft is equipped with the latest technology, is highly manoeuvrable and has a number of other advantages. It will have a maximum flight speed of Mach 1.8 (2,222 km/h).

The first TF-X prototype was unveiled in late autumn last year. A month later, TAI announced plans to produce two aircraft per month starting in 2029. The fighter will be able to fly for the first time in the autumn of 2024, with acceptance into service scheduled for 2028.

TÜBİTAK BİLGEM unveiled the onboard computer for the fifth-generation fighter in December 2022. It will be connected to a new radar station manufactured by Aselsan.

TAI began testing a prototype aircraft in the spring. In mid-March, the fighter jet left the hangar for the first time and drove on the runway. The tests tested the operation of two engines, each generating 13,000kg of thrust.

Source: AA, Daily Sabah