TR Air-Force TF-X KAAN Fighter Jet

[Angry Turk !!!]

Urgency of Kaan is obviously unquestionable but also there’s a bit of truth in what he says. Acquisition of EFs will provide some room to TurAF to breathe in by gaining some capabilities which it lacks and lagging behind other air forces in the region.
This in return will remove some pressure off the TurAF but Kaan is and will always stay the priority of Turkish defense industry.

T4 EFs + Meteors is a solid stopgap and I'm happy with it.

I don't care about the price because having those planes is more important right now. But from now on, everything should be invested into KAAN and other major projects, full force.

 

[mehmed beg]

I think that it will take at least 2 to 3 years to train the pilots and develop the tactics in order to fully tap in potential of KAAN. Also, at least a squadron to squadron and half is necessary. All of that plus still testing of the various things at the same time.
I don't think that Turkiye has had any other options but to buy EFs, it is just too expensive. I don't know whether will be any money left for the air tankers though.

 

[Zafer]

Typhoon can fill some gap in the Air Force's capabilities but it will not take any pressure off of the Kaan development.

 

[mehmed beg]

I forgot to add , by let's say 2030 , how many flying hours will be left in many F 16 frames and the engines? So EFs will take a lot of pressure from KAAN frames and will take the function of F4s. So I think that the option for extra 20 frames will be excised , I just hope that EFs will have TVC and upgraded engines at that time. Those things would make EFs the ultimate generation 4++ planes. That is all good, apart from the price

 

[cr33pt3d]

Secretly hoping the EF deal includes some assistance from RR for the TF35K engine. would keep the timeline for Kaan live.

 

[TheInsider]

Eurofighter is not just an interim solution, as many suggested. It will replace F-4s. F-35s were supposed to replace F-4s and form a high-low mix with Kaan; now Eurofighters will do that. The second-hand part of the Eurofighter deal is an interim solution.

By the mid 2030s, Kaan will be an elite air superiority fighter. Using them as bomb trucks with external weapon stations is extremely expensive; F-16s will be there to maintain numerical superiority and can be deployed against technologically inferior enemies as a cost-effective solution. Eurofighters will be twin engine bomb/missile trucks and interceptors (similar to F-15ex) so Eurofighter deal is more than a simple stop gap solution. Airforce wants to have 3 squadrons of Eurofighters eventually.

 

[IC3M@N FX]

I have been considering various scenarios over the last few days. Turkey will receive 44 Eurofighters – around 24 of them from Qatar and Oman between 2026 and 2027/28, and the remaining 20 new Eurofighters from 2030 onwards.

There are currently 12 new F-110 engines available for six TAI KAAN prototypes. I think it is very likely that the US will continue to block larger deliveries of F-110 engines due to the geopolitical situation and, above all, because of Greece, Israel, etc. With a bit of luck, it may be possible to secure engines for four to six more aircraft – but probably not many more than that.

A conceivable interim solution would be to cannibalise part of the older F-16 fleet (Block 30/40). TEI could overhaul these old engines and replace worn parts, then use them temporarily in the TAI KAAN. This would allow the engines to be used in the aircraft for four to five years, until the TF-35000 engines are ready for series production in around 2033/34.

This would allow around 30 TAI KAANs (6 from the prototype batch + 24 TAI KAANs with overhauled F-16 engines from 48 older F-16s, which would be cannibalised) to be produced by 2030. Together with 44 Eurofighters and around +-200 modernised F-16 Özgür IIs, Turkey's air combat capability would be relatively solidly secured until 2032, as drones of various classes would be added as multipliers – this would significantly narrow the gap with Greece and Israel.
If more Eurofighters are added by 2032, more older F-16s could be cannibalised and more TAI KAANs built with general overhauled F-110 engines.
From 2033/34 onwards, only TAI KAAN with TF-35000 engines will be used, and the existing TAI KAAN fleet will be completely converted to TF-35000 as soon as the F-110 engines reach the end of their service life.
I would use more than half of the 48 cannibalised aircraft as spare parts donors for the existing F-16 fleet, and I would conduct a study on the remaining 10 aircraft to see if the TF-35000 could be integrated into the F-16 to provide the F-16 fleet with a possible Özgür III upgrade, with TEI TF 35000 (throttled down to 30,000 lbf).

 

[Yasar_TR]

I have been considering various scenarios over the last few days. Turkey will receive 44 Eurofighters – around 24 of them from Qatar and Oman between 2026 and 2027/28, and the remaining 20 new Eurofighters from 2030 onwards.

There are currently 12 new F-110 engines available for six TAI KAAN prototypes. I think it is very likely that the US will continue to block larger deliveries of F-110 engines due to the geopolitical situation and, above all, because of Greece, Israel, etc. With a bit of luck, it may be possible to secure engines for four to six more aircraft – but probably not many more than that.

A conceivable interim solution would be to cannibalise part of the older F-16 fleet (Block 30/40). TEI could overhaul these old engines and replace worn parts, then use them temporarily in the TAI KAAN. This would allow the engines to be used in the aircraft for four to five years, until the TF-35000 engines are ready for series production in around 2033/34.

This would allow around 30 TAI KAANs (6 from the prototype batch + 24 TAI KAANs with overhauled F-16 engines from 48 older F-16s, which would be cannibalised) to be produced by 2030. Together with 44 Eurofighters and around +-200 modernised F-16 Özgür IIs, Turkey's air combat capability would be relatively solidly secured until 2032, as drones of various classes would be added as multipliers – this would significantly narrow the gap with Greece and Israel.
If more Eurofighters are added by 2032, more older F-16s could be cannibalised and more TAI KAANs built with general overhauled F-110 engines.
From 2033/34 onwards, only TAI KAAN with TF-35000 engines will be used, and the existing TAI KAAN fleet will be completely converted to TF-35000 as soon as the F-110 engines reach the end of their service life.
I would use more than half of the 48 cannibalised aircraft as spare parts donors for the existing F-16 fleet, and I would conduct a study on the remaining 10 aircraft to see if the TF-35000 could be integrated into the F-16 to provide the F-16 fleet with a possible Özgür III upgrade, with TEI TF 35000 (throttled down to 30,000 lbf).

All your hypotheses are based on cannibalising F110 engines of F16 fighters.

Our F16s are single engine planes and use F110GE129C engine.
KAAN uses a pair of twin engine certified F110GE129E engines.

It is not just the FADEC program that is different; but the engine mounting interface is different than a single engine version. Different bearing support structures may have to be used to compensate for different flow patterns that may be created by twin engine layout. These engines will have to be “certified for twin engine use”.

Air intake harmonisation is different too. This refers to “the engineering and control processes that ensure each engine in a multi-engine aircraft receives a consistent, smooth, and optimal flow of air, regardless of the aircraft's speed, altitude, or flight manoeuvres. This is particularly critical for high-performance and supersonic aircraft.”

Then there is the legality issue. These planes are still owned by US. You can’t take their engines to use them on another aircraft without their consent.

In short :

You can’t just take an engine from 2 F16s and fit them on KAAN.

 

[IC3M@N FX]

What would be a realistic alternative?
To procure additional Eurofighters by around 2033/34 – and in the meantime optimize the existing six TAI-KAAN prototypes as much as possible?

Because so far, there is no fully functional TF-35000 engine, no one knows how far along the engine is, whether it has already been tested or not.
I find it hard to believe that the first test flights of the TAI KAAN with the new TF-35000 engine can be expected in 2029/30.

 

[boredaf]

no one knows how far along the engine is, whether it has already been tested or not

How could they do any testing when they haven't even built an engine yet? They haven't even finished testing TF6K yet (and that is years away), they haven't shown if they built TF10K (and that'll also require years of testing).

 

[uçuyorum]

EF will add significant capability to our air force. Captor - E is likely stronger than Murad just by sheer power, plus added maturity. And it will be our twin engine superiority fighter in service until Kaan is operational and produced in large numbers ( IOC of initial deliveries 2031+, serial production likely much later). Modernized F16 with Murad in large numbers + EF should suffice our needs until 2035 more or less. Israeli and small number of Greek F35 will be a threat but likely manageable through other deterrents

 

[Zafer]

President Erdoğan moments ago; "Milli muharip uçağımız KAAN'ı belirlediğimiz takvimde Hava Kuvvetlerimizin envanterine katacağız."

We will introduce our national fighter jet Kaan into our Air Forces' inventory in the timeframe we have determined.

 

[Fuzuli NL]

President Erdoğan moments ago; "Milli muharip uçağımız KAAN'ı belirlediğimiz takvimde Hava Kuvvetlerimizin envanterine katacağız."

We will introduce our national fighter jet Kaan into our Air Forces' inventory in the timeframe we have determined.

He's just leaving "if everything goes well" unsaid.
Cause in case of delays there are enough excuses to use.
The fact is that there are no allies we can fully trust and our own power units are essential for all platforms.
We need to prioritise engine development.

According to statements from the CEO, we're at a good pace regarding engine development. We just need to keep going and not be deterred by anything.

 

[Zafer]

He's just leaving "if everything goes well" unsaid.

He could very well say that but he unusually chose not to which makes his confidence in the matter very strong. Normally he would say "god willing" even in matters which seem certain to happen. Im a sure he is keeping close tabs on the progress of the works.

 

[Yasar_TR]

He could very well say that but he unusually chose not to which makes his confidence in the matter very strong. Normally he would say "god willing" even in matters which seem certain to happen. Im a sure he is keeping close tabs on the progress of the works.

Erdoğan:
Milli muharip uçağımız KAAN'ı belirlediğimiz takvimde Hava Kuvvetlerimizin envanterine inşallah katacağız.

He does use the “godwilling”

Cumhurbaşkanı Erdoğan: Cumhuriyetimizin ikinci asrını Türkiye Yüzyılı yapana kadar durmadan çalışmaya devam edeceğiz

Cumhurbaşkanı Erdoğan, "İttifak ortağımız ve milletimizle beraber Cumhuriyetimizin ikinci asrını Türkiye Yüzyılı yapana kadar durmadan, dinlenmeden çalışmaya devam edeceğiz." dedi. - Anadolu Ajansı

www.aa.com.tr

Anadolu Ajansı on Instagram: "Cumhurbaşkanı Erdoğan, Kabine Toplantısı’nın ardından açıklamalarda bulundu ⤵️⁠ ⁠ — Yerli ve milli savunma projelerimizi süratle devreye alırken, Avrupalı müttefiklerimizle kazan kazan temelinde savunma işbirliğimizi güç

1,846 likes, 25 comments - anadoluajansi on November 3, 2025: "Cumhurbaşkanı Erdoğan, Kabine Toplantısı’nın ardından açıklamalarda bulundu ⤵️⁠ ⁠ — Yerli ve milli savunma projelerimizi süratle devreye alırken, Avrupalı müttefiklerimizle kazan kazan temelinde savunma işbirliğimizi güçlendireceğiz⁠...

www.instagram.com

@Zafer get your facts right please!

 

[Zafer]

Erdoğan:
Milli muharip uçağımız KAAN'ı belirlediğimiz takvimde Hava Kuvvetlerimizin envanterine inşallah katacağız.

He does use the “godwilling”

Cumhurbaşkanı Erdoğan: Cumhuriyetimizin ikinci asrını Türkiye Yüzyılı yapana kadar durmadan çalışmaya devam edeceğiz

Cumhurbaşkanı Erdoğan, "İttifak ortağımız ve milletimizle beraber Cumhuriyetimizin ikinci asrını Türkiye Yüzyılı yapana kadar durmadan, dinlenmeden çalışmaya devam edeceğiz." dedi. - Anadolu Ajansı

www.aa.com.tr

Anadolu Ajansı on Instagram: "Cumhurbaşkanı Erdoğan, Kabine Toplantısı’nın ardından açıklamalarda bulundu ⤵️⁠ ⁠ — Yerli ve milli savunma projelerimizi süratle devreye alırken, Avrupalı müttefiklerimizle kazan kazan temelinde savunma işbirliğimizi güç

1,846 likes, 25 comments - anadoluajansi on November 3, 2025: "Cumhurbaşkanı Erdoğan, Kabine Toplantısı’nın ardından açıklamalarda bulundu ⤵️⁠ ⁠ — Yerli ve milli savunma projelerimizi süratle devreye alırken, Avrupalı müttefiklerimizle kazan kazan temelinde savunma işbirliğimizi güçlendireceğiz⁠...

www.instagram.com

@Zafer get your facts right please!

I copied and pasted from the online news piece, I didn't type myself, given the time difference good thing you watched the video and came up with the truth. I have been watching a live online event that I might have wanted to interact with in the last 90 minutes so I happened to fail to correct myself.

@Yasar_TR

SON DAKİKA: Cumhurbaşkanı Erdoğan: Savunma sanayiide tarih yazmaya devam edeceğiz

Haber 7 - SON DAKİKA HABERLERİ... Kabine toplantısı sonrası konuşan Cumhurbaşkanı Erdoğan, gündeme dair önemli mesajlar paylaştı. Erdoğan, "Savunma sanayiide tarih yazmaya devam edeceğiz." dedi.

www.haber7.com

 

[TheInsider]

This guy is cooking Koreans over their remarks on Kaan project. He is listing major outsourced subsystems of KF-21.

https://x.com/T_Nblty

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1986880575870017798

KF-21 looks worse than I first anticipated. They are not selling this aircraft to anyone the US doesn't want.

 

[TR_123456]

I don't want to belittle the achievements of our SK friends. But let's be honest, compared to the KAAN program, KF21 program feels more like LEGO. However the KF21 program on its own is a great achievement for a nation too. Respect to SK.

Yeah but the KF-21 is already a finished platform,it works perfectly and can be upgraded.
The KAAN only has one prototype,nothing else,we should talk when its a finished platform,not before.

 

[YeşilVatan]

And there is nothing but budgets holding Koreans back from localizing subsystems. Our situations are worlds apart due to acute embargos. Can't be compared.

 

[hugh]

Yeah because it is like LEGO compared to KAAN. No wonder the program is already more advanced than KAAN, because it was easier to build. And the first blocks of KF21 are less advanced than what KAAN block 1 will be.

Kaan's first flight prototype hasn't even flown yet and we call their serially produced aircraft LEGO? We shouldn't assume that our test campaign will go as smoothly as the theirs. It might very well not be.

We are proud of our achievements but let's not denigrate others to get a moment of satisfaction.