ISTANBUL — The Turkish Air Force has signed a contract for its first batch of 20 Block 10 KAAN fifth-generation fighter jets from Turkish Aerospace, with deliveries planned by 2028. Turkish Aerospace CEO Mehmet Demiroğlu confirmed the deal followed the official signing at the SAHA defense expo, noting expectations for additional orders over time. The agreement involves Turkey’s Defense Industries Secretariat and equips the initial aircraft with General Electric F110 engines, the same as on Turkish F-16C Block 50s. Future variants aim to incorporate domestically produced TF35000 turbofan engines by 2032.
Separately, Spain has entered preliminary government-to-government talks with Turkey for a potential KAAN acquisition after rejecting Lockheed Martin F-35 jets in August 2025. Discussions, at an early stage, cover technical and political aspects, including technology transfer and Spanish industrial participation, according to Demiroğlu and Turkish Aerospace sources. The interest aligns with Spain’s €6.25 billion budget for new fighters to replace aging F/A-18 Hornets and Harriers, building on its prior Hürjet trainer contract. Talks gained momentum after Spain’s October 2025 overtures amid delays in the Future Combat Air System program.
Indonesia previously committed to 48 KAAN jets in July 2025 under a $10 billion-plus deal spanning 120 months. The KAAN, a twin-engine stealth multirole fighter, integrates Turkish munitions like Gökdoğan, Bozdoğan, Gökhan, and SOM-J missiles.