Turkey’s fifth-generation fighter jet program, KAAN, has reached another key milestone. At a press briefing, Defense Industry Agency (SSB) President Haluk Görgün unveiled the first image of KAAN’s second prototype, confirming that the project is progressing on schedule. Görgün announced that a total of six prototypes will be produced, with initial deliveries expected in 2028, and that the aircraft is planned to operate with a locally developed engine during the 2030s. Developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ), KAAN represents a cornerstone of Turkey’s ambition to field an indigenous air superiority platform. The jet successfully completed its maiden flight on February 21, 2024, marking the beginning of an intensive test campaign that the second prototype will now expand further.

In addition to the KAAN update, Görgün shared strong export performance figures for Turkey’s defense industry. In 2024, more than 300 defense products were exported to 180 countries, with 1,600 out of 3,500 firms actively contributing to export activities. The total value of signed export contracts in 2023 and 2024 exceeded $20 billion, and Görgün stated that the aim is to raise the current $7 billion annual export level to double-digit billions within two years.

Among the top exported categories are UAVs, UCAVs, smart missiles, military helicopters, and airborne radar systems. ASELSAN’s ASELFLIR-500, a high-performance electro-optical reconnaissance and targeting system designed for both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft, was exported to 16 countries in 2024, underscoring the global competitiveness of Turkey’s air systems technology.

The emergence of KAAN’s second prototype marks the start of expanded structural, avionics, and mission system tests. It also paves the way for more advanced flight envelope evaluations and eventual integration of weapons and sensors. With its 2028 delivery goal and indigenous engine roadmap, KAAN is set to elevate Turkey into the small circle of nations capable of producing fifth-generation fighter aircraft — combining advanced technology, industrial independence, and long-term export potential.