The KAAN fighter jet represents Turkey’s most ambitious defense industry project—and the centerpiece of its drive for strategic autonomy. Yet behind the striking images of test flights, export announcements, and Ankara’s rhetoric about a ‘national fighter,’ one critical question remains unanswered: the engine.
The recent U.S. decision—under former President Donald Trump—to lift restrictions on exports of General Electric F110 engines to Turkey could prove pivotal for the program’s development pace. These engines are currently powering early KAAN prototypes, as Turkey races to develop a domestically produced alternative.
From TF-X to KAAN
Originally launched as the TF-X (Turkish Fighter eXperimental), the program was later renamed Milli Muharip Uçak (National Combat Aircraft) and ultimately branded KAAN. Its goal is to replace Turkey’s large fleet of U.S.-made F-16s with a homegrown, twin-engine, low-observable 5th-generation fighter. Ankara envisions KAAN not only as a frontline combat aircraft but also as the core of an integrated Turkish ecosystem—including UAVs, UCAVs, sensors, precision-guided weapons, and network-centric warfare systems.
The significance of KAAN extends far beyond operational capability. It carries deep political, industrial, and geopolitical weight. After being expelled from the U.S.-led F-35 program in 2019—due to its purchase of Russia’s S-400 air defense system—Turkey sought to demonstrate that it could stand independently at the forefront of aerospace technology. The KAAN became a symbol of national resilience and technological sovereignty.
A Domestic Effort, With Limits
Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI or TUSAŞ) leads the design and production, supported by a broad domestic industrial network including Aselsan, Roketsan, Havelsan, and TEI. Still, building a modern fighter jet involves far more than airframes, radars, or weapons—it demands a fully certified, reliable, and operationally mature system. And at the heart of that system lies the engine: the single greatest technical hurdle.
While KAAN’s first flight took place on February 21, 2024—a milestone heavily promoted by Turkish authorities—the reliance on imported U.S. engines underscores the program’s current dependence on foreign technology. That dependency raises questions about long-term sustainability, export viability, and interoperability with NATO standards—issues with direct implications for regional security dynamics, including Greece’s defense posture.