It is a widely known fact that F135 spews much more heat than the F110.I think the main criticism is, with F110 engine it’s IR signature reduction does not matches that of F-22 and F-35. Both of which has significantly reduced IR singetures due to special engine and nozzle designs and other measures.
With the heat management infrastructure in the F-35 air frame, it barely makes a leap in that regard.
Infrastructure that KAAN most likely packs as well.
"F110-laden KAAN is a 4.5 gen plane" is a bulls*it statement.