Turkey’s ambitious journey to self-reliance in defense technology marked a significant milestone with the successful maiden flight of its homegrown TAI TF-X stealth fighter.

Dubbed by some as a potential rival to the F-35 Lightning II, the TF-X, also referred to as KAAN in some reports, embodies Turkey’s response to the modern combat aircraft stage.

The aircraft has been in development for over a decade, but gained momentum after Ankara was expelled from the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter due to its acquisition of the Russian-made S-400 “Triumf” air-defense system.

The TF-X’s path to the skies has not been without controversy. A retired Turkish colonel boldly claimed that the nation’s upcoming stealth fighter would boast greater capabilities than the F-35 Lightning II.

The prototype, powered by twin engines borrowed from an F-16, reportedly completed its maiden flight earlier this month, instilling a sense of national pride and technical accomplishment.

Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) has partnered with BAE Systems in a $125 million deal to craft the KAAN, aiming to replace Turkey’s aging F-16 fleet with a fifth-generation fighter that offers advanced stealth, speed, and armament capacities.

Despite the ambitious claims, the TF-X’s real capabilities remain a closely guarded secret, with only speculations available from prototype images and official statements.

One such claim is that the new fighter can carry a significantly larger payload than the F-35, and with two engines, it could potentially surpass the F-35 in terms of power and radar range.

However, this aircraft is not just a potential game-changer for Turkey; its successful development could position the country as a significant exporter of fifth-generation fighters, particularly to nations like Azerbaijan and Pakistan, which have expressed interest.

The challenges ahead are formidable. The road to mass-producing an indigenous fighter jet is fraught with technical, financial, and political hurdles.

The cost of such defense ventures is astronomical, and like other global powers, Turkey must seek export opportunities to help offset unit costs.

The high inflation rates in Turkey add to the complexity of this endeavor. Yet, TAI is optimistic, projecting the delivery of 20 KAAN aircraft by 2028, with ambitions for the Turkish fleet to comprise hundreds of these stealth jets in the following years.

While Turkey aims to ensure the sustainability of its defense industry through exports, international cooperation offers an additional way to uphold this growth. Yet, participating in international cooperation may require sacrificing self-sufficiency, leading to challenging decisions.

Although the TF-X’s ultimate role on the global stage is still uncertain, its development is definitely a narrative worth following.

Can Kasapoglu, a Turkish defense expert and senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, mentioned to Breaking Defense earlier this year that KAAN’s design philosophy has progressed over time.

Relevant articles:
– Turkey Says TAI TF-X Stealth Fighter Is Better Than F-35, The National Interest
– TAI TF Kaan: Turkey’s Stealth Fighter Is Real (But No F-35), nationalinterest.org
– Mini F-35? Turkey’s TAI TF Kaan Fighter Has Arrived, The National Interest
– TAI exec claims 20 Turkish KAAN fighters to be delivered in 2028, Breaking Defense