I understand and to a degree not rejecting the idea of a single engined sister plane to KAAN.I'd argue that we would be better off with designing and producing a 1 engine smaller Kaan rather than 2 engine Hürjet. As capable as it might be, I don't see Hürjet as an effective solution for an aircraft carrier in any way. We are going to have a proper ac in late 2030s at earliest and more likely in 2040s, there is no way a 4th gen plane can still operate safely in 10-15 to 20 ears time.
But let us look at the current situation and contemplate with the bird in hand rather than the ones in the bush. We still don’t have a concrete physical presence of that indigenous engine that may power that single engined plane. Yet we have a TF6K that is working and being readied for prototype production. Also a single engined KAAN will not be cheap.
Smaller diameter engines are easier and cheaper to produce. Our TF6K engine is being designed as a stealthy engine and the size of it makes it more feasible to be upgraded to a level that is close to double the thrust levels than what TEI has been advertising. I remember reading about the grapevine news that already at this early stages it is developing 6700+lbf thrust levels. That sort of thrust from two engines are actually similar to what a single GE-F414 engine develops. That one engine propels Gripen-E to 2Mach speed with a usable payload of 7200kg, MTOW of 16500kg and a combat range of 810Nmiles.
It would be more economical and clever to employ a Stealthy Hurjet with twin engines from a carrier whereby we know we can build that plane and don’t have any outer force hampering our engine choice. Per hour cost of a plane like that will be cheaper than a KAAN, no matter how economically you produce that baby KAAN.
In an ideal world a single engined KAAN sounds good. But today we have a flying Hurjet in hand and a working engine that will be available within a couple of years.
Just to put a close perspective to twin engined Hurjet’s use; If I remember correctly, Sweden’s Gripen-E is fully navalised against salt water corrosion and as a delta wing design is inherently stealthy. Plus thanks to Akaer, who were also responsible for Hurjet’s airframe design, is an extremely manoeuvrable plane. It can take off land on short runways.