While Türkiye’s defense industry is often highlighted for major platforms such as fighter jets, tanks, missiles, and UAVs, significant progress is also being made in critical subsystems. One of the most strategic achievements in this field is the domestic development of aircraft landing gear systems. TAAC, the company responsible for producing the landing gear of the National Combat Aircraft KAAN and the advanced jet trainer/light attack aircraft HÜRJET, has positioned Türkiye among the very few countries capable of producing complete landing gear systems from end to end.

TAAC General Manager Enis Ata explains that the company was established to develop essential infrastructure solutions such as aircraft landing gears, flight control actuators, and sophisticated test systems. He emphasizes that landing gear sets stand among the most critical subsystems of an aircraft, alongside the engine and flight control units. These systems bear the aircraft’s entire load during landing and are composed of numerous complex components. While most countries outsource these subsystems to multiple suppliers, TAAC’s ability to design and manufacture the entire system independently places it among a select group of global manufacturers.

As development activities for KAAN and HÜRJET continue rapidly, Türkiye is preparing for new test flights and expanded trials in early 2026, followed by accelerated serial production. TAAC states that it has been enhancing its systems in coordination with key institutions and is fully ready to meet all technical needs once mass production begins. With its increasing capabilities, TAAC aims to serve not merely as a supplier but as a strategic partner in Türkiye’s indigenous aircraft programs.

The indigenous production of landing gear systems also strengthens Türkiye’s position in export negotiations. For potential exports such as HÜRJET’s planned sale to Spain, TAAC’s domestically developed landing gear will accompany the platform as a key subsystem. Ata points out that Türkiye’s ability to design and manufacture almost all core components of HÜRJET significantly boosts its competitiveness and flexibility in international discussions. He adds that dependency on foreign suppliers for critical subsystems like landing gear would weaken Türkiye’s bargaining power and create major sustainment and logistics challenges in later phases.

Beyond serving Turkish platforms, TAAC has already begun to attract international attention. The company has an active contract with a Middle Eastern country for developing and producing custom landing gear systems. Additionally, TAAC is currently engaged in proposals across three to four continents, with expectations of new agreements in the near future. This positions the firm as both a subsystem exporter and a key contributor to Türkiye’s growing aerospace footprint.

Türkiye’s ability to produce landing gear systems entirely with national resources is seen not only as a technological achievement but also as a strategic milestone. These advancements—integrated into platforms like KAAN and HÜRJET—significantly enhance the global competitiveness, sustainability, and independence of the country’s aerospace ecosystem.