La relación entre España y Turquía se ha intensificado con el proyecto del avión de entrenamiento Hürjet como un ejemplo de cooperación
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The KAAN, Spain, and Our Strategic Dilemma
KAAN and the Turkish Aerospace Industry: A Future of Collaboration and Challenges
In recent days, there has been a major stir on social media and in both specialized and general media circles regarding the news published by the newspaper
El País about the definitive cancellation of the possible acquisition of the F-35 for both the Navy (the only available option) and the Air Force. So, let's talk about a possible alternative to the American fifth-generation fighter jet.
The KAAN: A Fifth-Generation Fighter “Made in Türkiye”
The KAAN, Turkey’s ambitious fifth-generation fighter jet, is more than just a plane; it is the spearhead of a national strategy to achieve full technological autonomy and to establish the Turkish aerospace industry as a global force. This article delves into the technical details of the KAAN, the growing industry behind it, and the intriguing scenario of its potential collaboration with Spain, especially in light of the challenges facing the FCAS program and the alternatives for the Spanish Air Force and Navy.
KAAN: An In-Depth Look at Its Key Capabilities
The development of the KAAN (formerly known as TF-X) is led by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), with the goal of creating a stealthy, multifunctional, networked fighter to replace the country’s F-16 fleet starting in the 2030s. Its design features and the technologies expected to be incorporated position it to compete in the niche of the world’s most advanced combat aircraft.
- Stealth Design: The KAAN has been designed from the ground up to minimize its radar signature. Its angular structure, internal weapon bays for missiles, and special radar-absorbent coating are key elements to achieve low observability. Unlike a fourth-generation fighter, the KAAN is meant to evade detection and carry out surprise attacks on well-defended targets.
- Sensor Fusion: This is one of the most critical capabilities of a fifth-generation fighter. The KAAN will integrate data from an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar developed by ASELSAN, a cutting-edge electronic warfare system, and infrared sensors. All this data will be processed and fused into a single clear picture in the pilot's cockpit, providing unprecedented situational awareness. This fusion is what sets these jets apart from their predecessors, which often required pilots to interpret information from multiple screens.
- Propulsion: The Path to Independence: While early prototypes fly with General Electric F110 engines (the same as the F-16), Turkey has a clear plan for serial production: an indigenous engine. The development of this engine, led by TRMotor, is a high-priority project. Having a domestically designed engine would eliminate reliance on foreign suppliers, ensuring continued production and unrestricted export.
- Connectivity and Combat Network: The KAAN will not operate alone. It is designed to be a central node in a broader combat network, interacting with drones like the Bayraktar Kızılelma and other unmanned aerial systems. This "manned-unmanned teaming" capability will allow the KAAN to control and direct these drones in combat, multiplying its firepower and reconnaissance capabilities.
- Avionics and Flight Control Systems: The cockpit will feature a large-format touchscreen, replacing the multiple dials and buttons of older aircraft. The "fly-by-wire" flight control system will be managed by advanced software, enabling supermaneuverability and complex combat maneuvers.
The Powerful Turkish Aerospace Industry: Beyond the KAAN
The development of the KAAN is a testament to the rise of Turkey’s aerospace and defense industry. This growth is no accident but the result of strategic investment and a focus on self-sufficiency. Companies such as TAI, ASELSAN, and Roketsan are pillars of this strategy.
- TAI (Turkish Aerospace Industries): The main contractor for the KAAN and the advanced training aircraft Hürjet. TAI is also responsible for upgrading existing aircraft and producing helicopters like the T-129 ATAK.
- ASELSAN: A defense electronics giant responsible for the KAAN’s AESA radar, electronic warfare systems, and avionics suite. Its ability to produce critical electronic components has been key to reducing reliance on foreign suppliers.
- Roketsan: Leads the development of weapon systems for the KAAN, including long-range air-to-air missiles and smart munitions.
The success of projects like the Bayraktar TB2 drone has demonstrated the production capabilities and innovation potential of this industry to the world, opening doors to new export and collaboration opportunities.
Spain and Turkey: The Strategic Dilemma and the KAAN Alternative
The defense relationship between Spain and Turkey has strengthened in recent years, with the Hürjet training aircraft project as an example of successful cooperation. This collaboration, which includes software development and systems integration, shows that working together on complex aeronautical projects is possible and could serve as a model for future initiatives.
In this context, Spain’s potential participation in the KAAN program emerges as a strategic option for the future of the Spanish Air Force and Navy, especially considering current challenges:
- FCAS Uncertainty: The Future Combat Air System (FCAS), the joint sixth-generation fighter project of Spain, France, and Germany, faces multiple delays and political tensions among its partners. Disagreements over workload distribution and intellectual property have cast doubt on the project’s viability and timeline. If FCAS is delayed or, in an extreme scenario, cancelled, Spain would need to find a solution to maintain cutting-edge air combat capability.
- Alternative to the F-35: Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Lightning II is the preferred option for the Spanish Air Force to complement its Eurofighters, and for the Spanish Navy as the only replacement for the AV-8B Harrier II. However, its acquisition comes with a high economic cost and significant technological and political dependence on the United States. A massive F-35 purchase could constrain long-term defense budgets. In any case, based on recent (albeit unofficial) reports, it is widely assumed that neither the Spanish Air Force nor the Navy will acquire the American fifth-generation fighter — unless there is a political shift and the next government reopens the discussion.
- Second Fighter for the Air Force: The KAAN could not only serve as an alternative but also as a complement to the Eurofighter, functioning as a second combat aircraft in the Spanish Air Force. This would give Spain a more diverse fighter fleet capable of adapting to different scenarios.
- KAAN as a Viable Alternative: Joining the KAAN program could offer Spain a path to acquire a fifth-generation fighter at potentially lower cost and, more importantly, with greater influence over the aircraft’s design and systems — gaining greater strategic autonomy. Collaborating on the KAAN could ensure crucial technology transfer and the involvement of Spanish industry, such as Indra or Airbus Spain, in areas like avionics and systems integration.
The Naval Version of the KAAN: A Solution for the Navy’s Future
A particularly interesting aspect of a possible collaboration is the potential naval version of the KAAN. Although the initial design focuses on land-based operations, developing a naval variant is a very real possibility.
- The Navy’s Need: The Spanish Navy currently operates the LHD Juan Carlos I, which uses short/vertical takeoff and landing (STOVL/VTOL) aircraft — the Boeing (McDonnell Douglas) AV-8B Harrier II. The F-35 could be used with some modifications to reinforce the deck, as the American fighter generates significantly more heat through its nozzle. However, in the long term, Spain may consider building a future aircraft carrier with catapults and arresting cables (CATOBAR system), which would allow it to operate larger, more powerful aircraft with greater payload capacity.
- KAAN as a Carrier-Based Fighter: In the event that FCAS is cancelled, and if the F-35 is deemed too expensive or politically risky, a naval KAAN could be a highly attractive option for a future Spanish CATOBAR aircraft carrier. Developing a carrier-based version of the KAAN in collaboration would allow Spain and Turkey to share R&D costs and ensure the aircraft meets the Navy's specific requirements. This version would require structural reinforcements to the landing gear and airframe, as well as wing-folding systems and a tailhook — modifications that engineering teams from TAI and Spanish companies could jointly develop.
In an ideal scenario, the KAAN could not only serve as an alternative but as a strategic complement, operating alongside Eurofighters and, eventually, with the FCAS. This platform diversity could strengthen the Spanish Air Force's autonomy and operational capacity. Spain’s decision, therefore, is not just about choosing a fighter jet, but about shaping its strategic path in the aerospace industry for decades to come — including the possibility of a naval version that could redefine the Spanish Navy’s power projection capabilities.
Author’s Note:
This article presents the KAAN as a potential medium-term alternative in light of the Spanish government’s rejection of acquiring the F-35, and as a possible option to avoid losing capabilities if the FCAS program does not proceed — but it cannot act as a sixth-generation fighter. Moreover, before pursuing alternatives, ideally, negotiations should resume for the acquisition of the American fighter, which remains the only viable option today.
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