New prototypes of Türkiye’s National Combat Aircraft KAAN have been unveiled for structural and flight testing. The development marks a major milestone toward serial production.

At World Defence Show 2026 in Riyadh, KAAN, J-35A, KF-21 and F-35 appeared side by side. Chinese media highlighted Türkiye and South Korea’s stronger presence at the event.

TAI CEO Mehmet Demiroğlu stated that Saudi Arabia’s interest in the KAAN fighter jet has reached the highest level, with concrete and positive developments expected soon.

Turkish Aerospace has activated the APAJ system on the KAAN assembly line. The technology marks a major step forward in digitalization, precision manufacturing, and production efficiency.

TUSAŞ CEO Mehmet Demiroğlu announced that the KAAN national combat aircraft will begin test flights with its prototype by the end of April, marking a major milestone for Türkiye’s defense aviation program.

TUSAŞ will focus on intensive testing, prototyping, and serial production of KAAN, HÜRJET, ANKA III, and GÖKBEY projects throughout 2026.

TAAC, the Turkish company producing fully indigenous landing gear for the National Combat Aircraft KAAN and HÜRJET, is now attracting strong international demand. Türkiye’s efforts to minimize foreign dependence in defense have reached a new milestone.

SSB President Haluk Görgün announced that the KAAN fighter jet and indigenous engine programs are progressing on schedule, emphasizing that KAAN’s future is not dependent on any single foreign engine source and that Türkiye is rapidly advancing toward full independence in engine technologies.