Turkish Aerospace’s KAAN 5th generation fighter jet made its maiden flight on the morning of February 21, the country’s government reported.
Formerly known as TF-X, KAAN, a name associated with power in the local language, is an indigenous design intended to replace the Turkish Air Force’s numerous F-16 fighter jets.
According to the manufacturer, the KAAN flew for 13 minutes, reaching an altitude of 8,000 feet and a speed of 230 knots. The aircraft was accompanied in flight by an F-16D.
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Turkish Aerospace has not disclosed the technical aspects of the fighter, but it is estimated that it can reach a speed of Mach 1.8, and a service ceiling of 55,000 feet.
The aircraft is powered by two F110-GE129 turbofans produced under license in Turkey by TUSAŞ Engine Industries (TEI)
KAAN is another local project being developed with support from President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s government.
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Sarsılmaz bir inançla kalpte tutkusu. ??Millî Muharip Uçağımız #KAAN, ilk uçuşunu başarıyla gerçekleştirerek asil milletimizi sevince boğdu. Cumhurbaşkanımız Sn. Recep Tayyip… pic.twitter.com/Ea3joBjHaW
— T.C. Millî Savunma Bakanlığı (@tcsavunma) February 21, 2024
Numerous ongoing military programs
In addition to the 5th generation fighter, Turkey has already carried out the maiden flight of the Hürjet advanced training jet, the T929 attack helicopter and the Kizilelma and Anka-3 stealth drones.
The TF-X program gained momentum after the United States vetoed the supply of Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II fighters in 2019.
At the time, Erdoğan’s government had reached an agreement to acquire S-400 surface-to-air missiles with Russia, which was considered unacceptable by the administration of then US President Donald Trump.
Since then, the United States and Turkey have become closer again amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the entry of Sweden and Finland into NATO.
Recently, President Joe Biden granted approval for the supply of 40 F-16 Block 70/72 fighters to Turkey.
