Indonesia and Turkey ink deal for 48 KAAN fighter jets
Turkish Aerospace Industries, producer of the stealth jet, said that Indonesian and Turkish defense officials formally signed an agreement for the deal during a ceremony at the Indo Defence trade show in Jakarta.
Indonesia has signed an agreement to acquire 48 Kaan fifth generation fighter jets (Turkish Aerospace Industries)
BELFAST — Indonesia reached an agreement with Turkey today for the acquisition of 48 KAAN fifth generation fighter jets, marking the first major international sale of the Turkish fighter.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced the deal on X and said that the aircraft will be produced in Turkey with support from “Indonesia’s local capabilities,” but he did not share an order value.
In a supporting statement Turkish Aerospace Industries, producer of the stealth jet, said that Indonesian and Turkish defense officials formally signed an agreement for the deal during a ceremony at the Indo Defence trade show in Jakarta.
The manufacturer labelled the sale as a “significant strategic milestone on the international stage” and noted that all 48 aircraft will be delivered over 10 years. The new combat aircraft will also be powered by the in-development, domestically produced TF35000 turbofan engine.
“This agreement covers not only the delivery of the KAAN aircraft but also includes significant technology transfer components in the field of aviation,” added the Turkish Aerospace statement. “Through this strategic cooperation, Türkiye and Indonesia aim to promote knowledge sharing and enhance local capabilities. The agreement also envisions leveraging Indonesia’s industrial infrastructure and production capacities for the KAAN program.”
The second flight of the national combat aircraft KAAN, which was initiated by the Turkish Defence Industries Presidency (SSB) in order to meet the combat aircraft requirement of the Turkish Air Forces Command and developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), is carried out successfully in Ankara, Turkiye on May 06, 2024. (Photo by TUR Defence Industries Presidency/Anadolu via Getty Images)
First unveiled at the Paris Air Show in 2019, then dubbed TF-X, the KAAN fighter jet made its maiden flight last year with first deliveries to Turkey expected in 2028. The multirole aircraft is “designed to deliver outstanding performance in both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions,” according to Turkish Aerospace and features advanced technologies including AI supported avionics.
Azerbaijan signed an agreement in 2023 to join the fighter program with others expressing interest in making a similar leap. Pakistan and, as Breaking Defense previously reported, an unnamed Gulf country, are said to have weighed participation as well.
It’s unclear how Indonesia’s commitment to the KAAN could impact approaches it has made to other fighter jet makers. Reuters reported earlier this month that Indonesia was considering an order of Chinese J-10 fighter jets. Jakarta is also set to receive first deliveries of 42 French made Rafale fighter jets next year, under a $8.1 billion procurement. For the US, the Indonesian government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Boeing for the purchase of 24 F-15EX fighter jets, but a final order has yet to be signed.
Additionally, Indonesia’s involvement in South Korea’s KF-21 fighter program continues to be dogged by controversy, amid an investigation into alleged intellectual property theft, according to local media reports.
