TR Air-Force TF-X KAAN Fighter Jet

[Burberryswine]

To be honest I expect it within either this or the next week, it would make sense for them to keep delaying it for more final checks and ground tests after all this will be the first prototype to actually start Kaans aerial testing campaign and it will most likely fly for hundreds of sortis if no issues arises Also since this is a very different aircraft from the P0 which was only a TD it would make sense for them to face more issues leading up to the first flight since as far as we know all of its main sensors and avionics are actually installed.

 

[Polat]

I really hope that the Kaan Prototype will fly soon. Seeing the date contanly move reminds me to much of akkuyu first power plant still not being finished.

I got a small gut feeling that they will move it to next year.

 

[Bogeyman]

When will the F110 engines for KAAN and the F404 engines for HÜRJET be delivered?

The engines for two of Turkey's most important defense projects—the National Combat Aircraft (MMU) KAAN and the HÜRJET, both designed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ)—are coming from the USA. Will GE Aerospace deliver these engines? What is the status of the necessary approvals?

We met in Istanbul with two senior executives from GE Aerospace—formerly known as General Electric, with its engine manufacturing division now operating as a separate company—who oversee operations in Turkey and the surrounding region.

Kement Akdemir, Director of Defense & Systems, Regional Strategy, and Business Development (overseeing the manufacturer's military engines), and Orkun Tuncer, General Manager of Sales (responsible for civil engines across 27 countries), answered our questions.

“We strongly support both KAAN and HÜRJET”

Stating that KAAN is a crucial project for Turkey, Kement Akdemir said, “The P0 prototype completed its maiden flight. After landing, thousands of TUSAŞ employees ran toward the aircraft on the taxiway. GE Aerospace engineers were among those running. We support numerous military and civil projects in Turkey with a team of over 500 engineers. It is a source of great pride for us.”

Latest developments regarding the F110 engines

TUSAŞ will use GE Aerospace F110-GE-129 engines for the initial KAAN prototypes and the Block 10 series—that is, the first 40 aircraft. Approval for the Technical Assistance Agreement (TAA) regarding KAAN was granted in July. The licensing hurdle has been cleared, and work on the P1 prototype is proceeding rapidly.

TUSAŞ currently possesses F110 engines for the prototypes—the test aircraft. Akdemir stated, “Regarding the schedule, the engines will be delivered by GE Aerospace as planned. TUSAŞ has an ambitious yet positive schedule, and they are successfully meeting it. For the KAAN Block 10, GE Aerospace is a ‘reliable partner in the project’.”

We have no stake in the TF35000

TEI—which is currently 46% owned by GE Aerospace following a restructuring—has transferred the engine development project for the KAAN to the TEI Technology company. This company was previously known as TRMotor.

Akdemir says, “We do not have a stake in the TF35000. However, should the need arise, we stand ready with our engineering team and capabilities”:

“Designing a new engine begins with engineering. It involves stages such as prototyping, access to specialized technologies, production, certification, and product handover. Turkey possesses significant experience in these areas. The TF35000 is a long-term undertaking. We are proud to be a part of it (through the TEI partnership). The TF35000 is a long and challenging journey; only time will tell when it will reach completion. We are ready to provide support within the scope of Turkey’s program.”

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/2100155281141268606

 

[Lool]

“Designing a new engine begins with engineering. It involves stages such as prototyping, access to specialized technologies, production, certification, and product handover. Turkey possesses significant experience in these areas. The TF35000 is a long-term undertaking. We are proud to be a part of it (through the TEI partnership). The TF35000 is a long and challenging journey; only time will tell when it will reach completion. We are ready to provide support within the scope of Turkey’s program.”

Idk why but I feel that this is a prelude to justify any time delay that they may announce sooner or later

 

[Burberryswine]

Kaan could be seen in the video that MSB released today

 

[Fatman17]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/2100197150986559950

Engines to be delivered on schedule

 

[IC3M@N FX]

Hopefully

 

[IC3M@N FX]

Is there any information on when the maiden flight will take place?

 

[Sanchez]

Is there any information on when the maiden flight will take place?

Nope.

 

[Spitfire9]

The first KF-21 has been delivered to the ROK air force, but without an IWB it is not a stealth fighter. Redesign to include an IWB is not expected this decade. A Hanwha TF engine to replace the F414 used in the aircraft is not expected to be available for at least 10 years.

Delays with India's AMCA project suggest that it will not be delivered before the middle of the next decade, powered by 98kN (around 22,000lb thrust) GE F414 engines. This Mk1 version will be lacking in power. For the last 10 years both SAFRAN and RR have offered to co-design a 110kN-120kN engine for use in an AMCA Mk2 version but India has not made a decision so far.

With no non-US powered Korean or Indian 5G aircraft available much before 2040, for some years Kaan with TF35000 will be the only CAATSA/ITAR-free 5G available from the west.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed up to the Mecca agreement. Will they be likely to order CAATSA/ITAR-free Kaan once TF35000 is installed?

 

[Fatman17]

The first KF-21 has been delivered to the ROK air force, but without an IWB it is not a stealth fighter. Redesign to include an IWB is not expected this decade. A Hanwha TF engine to replace the F414 used in the aircraft is not expected to be available for at least 10 years.

Delays with India's AMCA project suggest that it will not be delivered before the middle of the next decade, powered by 98kN (around 22,000lb thrust) GE F414 engines. This Mk1 version will be lacking in power. For the last 10 years both SAFRAN and RR have offered to co-design a 110kN-120kN engine for use in an AMCA Mk2 version but India has not made a decision so far.

With no non-US powered Korean or Indian 5G aircraft available much before 2040, for some years Kaan with TF35000 will be the only CAATSA/ITAR-free 5G available from the west.

Turkey, Pakistan signed up to the Mecca agreement. Will they be likely to order CAATSA/ITAR-free Kaan once TF35000 is installed?

Chances are depending on Pakistan progress with its PFX program

 

[Samba]

The first KF-21 has been delivered to the ROK air force, but without an IWB it is not a stealth fighter. Redesign to include an IWB is not expected this decade. A Hanwha TF engine to replace the F414 used in the aircraft is not expected to be available for at least 10 years.

Delays with India's AMCA project suggest that it will not be delivered before the middle of the next decade, powered by 98kN (around 22,000lb thrust) GE F414 engines. This Mk1 version will be lacking in power. For the last 10 years both SAFRAN and RR have offered to co-design a 110kN-120kN engine for use in an AMCA Mk2 version but India has not made a decision so far.

With no non-US powered Korean or Indian 5G aircraft available much before 2040, for some years Kaan with TF35000 will be the only CAATSA/ITAR-free 5G available from the west.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed up to the Mecca agreement. Will they be likely to order CAATSA/ITAR-free Kaan once TF35000 is installed?

Lets see it fly first

 

[Merzifonlu]

Chances are depending on Pakistan progress with its PFX program

What would Pakistan define as success in the PFX program? It’s clear they don’t plan to develop the engine, opting instead to source it from China. Will they focus on building both the airframe and the AESA radar, or just the airframe? What measures will determine success?

 

[Afif]

Chances are depending on Pakistan progress with its PFX program

PFX is basically beefed up JF17 with higher indigenous content. Cannot substitute for 5th gen fighter.

It either J-35AE or KAAN for PAF. Chance are higher for J-35 given economic considerations (China might Provide LoC like they did with J10CE, also it is more cost effective) and availability. Realistically, ITAR free KAAN for export is a product of beyond 2035. PAF might wait for it, or it might not. Depends on the development of threat environment and resources allocation.

 

[Yasar_TR]

Tusas CEO Dr Demiroglu has been giving out new dates and at the same time trying to divert attention from delayed Kaan P1 first flight with small news about other stuff. .

“KAAN is an aircraft in which all major systems—with the exception of just two—have been developed domestically. Its landing gear and actuators—the components that drive the movement of control surfaces—are domestically produced. Its oxygen system, radar, and munitions are also domestic; in short, it is truly a domestic product. We are also continuing our efforts to ensure that its engine becomes domestically produced in the coming years. KAAN is our most challenging and technologically advanced platform, boasting a level of domestic content that rivals even our land vehicles. Ground operations are currently underway for the first test prototype, designated “DAP-1.” Whether in October or November, we hope to see KAAN take to the skies this year.”

“We have one gasoline-powered, propeller-driven vertical take-off platform called ‘Gölge’; all our other platforms are jet-powered. We are working across three different categories: one platform with a range of up to 300 kilometers, another in the 600-kilometer range, and a third in the 1,000-kilometer range. All of them have successfully passed tests for aerial launching, catapult and ramp launching, and RATO (Rocket-Assisted Take-Off) launching. We have now entered mass production—not in the sense of traditional aviation mass production, but with production volumes closer to those of the automotive industry. Our goal is to establish a system where a platform rolls off the production line every hour or every two hours.”

Are we going to believe this?
He is the harbinger of deadline-delay . Not a single word he has uttered about Kaan P1 first flight has come true.
Second part, especially the last sentence is the biggest BS there is if you take Tusas’s past performance as norm. Seeing is believing. Put your money where your mouth is.
In Turkish:

Ayinesi iştir kişinin lafa bakılmaz

In his first detailed broadcast updates following his appointment, he stated that the P1 and P2 prototypes were expected to take flight by the end of 2025.
later date Shifts: The expected first flight timeline for the P1 was later adjusted to April or May 2026, then to May or June 2026, and eventually pushed toward late 2026 after it began ground taxi trials on July 31, 2026

Mehmet Demiroğlu Açıkladı: KAAN, HÜRJET ve HÜRKUŞ'ta Son Durum Ne? | SavunmaSanayiST

Bakü'de düzenlenen ADEX 2026'da SavunmaSanayiST'ye konuşan TUSAŞ Genel Müdürü Dr. Mehmet Demiroğlu, HÜRKUŞ-2'nin ilk ihracatından HÜRJET ve KAAN'ın geleceğine kadar birçok konuda açıklamalarda bulundu.

www.savunmasanayist.com

 

[I_Love_F16]

Tusas CEO Dr Demiroglu has been giving out new dates and at the same time trying to divert attention from delayed Kaan P1 first flight with small news about other stuff. .

“KAAN is an aircraft in which all major systems—with the exception of just two—have been developed domestically. Its landing gear and actuators—the components that drive the movement of control surfaces—are domestically produced. Its oxygen system, radar, and munitions are also domestic; in short, it is truly a domestic product. We are also continuing our efforts to ensure that its engine becomes domestically produced in the coming years. KAAN is our most challenging and technologically advanced platform, boasting a level of domestic content that rivals even our land vehicles. Ground operations are currently underway for the first test prototype, designated “DAP-1.” Whether in October or November, we hope to see KAAN take to the skies this year.”

“We have one gasoline-powered, propeller-driven vertical take-off platform called ‘Gölge’; all our other platforms are jet-powered. We are working across three different categories: one platform with a range of up to 300 kilometers, another in the 600-kilometer range, and a third in the 1,000-kilometer range. All of them have successfully passed tests for aerial launching, catapult and ramp launching, and RATO (Rocket-Assisted Take-Off) launching. We have now entered mass production—not in the sense of traditional aviation mass production, but with production volumes closer to those of the automotive industry. Our goal is to establish a system where a platform rolls off the production line every hour or every two hours.”

Are we going to believe this?
He is the harbinger of deadline-delay . Not a single word he has uttered about Kaan P1 first flight has come true.
Second part, especially the last sentence is the biggest BS there is if you take Tusas’s past performance as norm. Seeing is believing. Put your money where your mouth is.
In Turkish:

Ayinesi iştir kişinin lafa bakılmaz

In his first detailed broadcast updates following his appointment, he stated that the P1 and P2 prototypes were expected to take flight by the end of 2025.
later date Shifts: The expected first flight timeline for the P1 was later adjusted to April or May 2026, then to May or June 2026, and eventually pushed toward late 2026 after it began ground taxi trials on July 31, 2026

Mehmet Demiroğlu Açıkladı: KAAN, HÜRJET ve HÜRKUŞ'ta Son Durum Ne? | SavunmaSanayiST

Bakü'de düzenlenen ADEX 2026'da SavunmaSanayiST'ye konuşan TUSAŞ Genel Müdürü Dr. Mehmet Demiroğlu, HÜRKUŞ-2'nin ilk ihracatından HÜRJET ve KAAN'ın geleceğine kadar birçok konuda açıklamalarda bulundu.

www.savunmasanayist.com

So nearly one year of delay. What could be the reasons ? Any idea ?

 

[Merzifonlu]

So nearly one year of delay. What could be the reasons ? Any idea ?

They have likely encountered unexpected difficulties. These are normal occurrences for an organization designing and manufacturing an aircraft for the first time. That said, I think it will fly on October 29th.

 

[boredaf]

These are normal occurrences for an organization designing and manufacturing an aircraft for the first time.

The problem isn't the delays themselves, it is them constantly talking big without properly delivering. This is becoming a Tusas speciality now, go back and check the interviews and reports about any of their products you'll see the same pattern whether it is a plane, a helicopter or a drone.

 

[Polat]

It kind of sucks to be honest, it also kind of shows their beheind schedule. Now with greece gaining advantage with their f-35, while we are dealing with CAATSA.

 

[Zafer]

We have the privilege of being able to ask officials what is going on like nobody else does. We have created so many opportunities to contact officials that some people can not deal with not being constantly fed status information. Chill and wait until things happen unless you have some stock invested like in Aselsan. I have full confidence and zero doubt that things will turn out the way I like with defence development works.