“Breaking New Ground: Türkiye and Indonesia Ink Landmark Defense Deal”
THE AGREEMENT INVOLVES THE PURCHASE OF 48 UNITS OF THE NATIONAL COMBAT AIRCRAFT KAAN, NATIONALLY DEVELOPED BY TURKISH AEROSPACE INDUSTRIES (TUSAŞ)
Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ) has attained a remarkable strategic achievement on the global front. At the INDO Defence 2025 exhibition held in Indonesia, a contract was finalized between Türkiye and Indonesia for the procurement of 48 units of the fifth-generation National Combat Aircraft, KAAN, which was innovated, developed, and manufactured using entirely indigenous resources. Under the contract, these aircraft will be supplied to Indonesia.
The signing event transpired on June 11 in Jakarta with the involvement of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, President of Defence Industries Haluk Görgün, Indonesian Minister of Defense Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, Chairman of TUSAŞ Ömer Cihad Vardan, Deputy Minister of National Defense and Vice Chairman of the TUSAŞ Board of Directors Şuay Alpay, and TUSAŞ CEO Dr. Mehmet Demiroğlu.
Per the terms of the agreement, all 48 KAAN aircraft are expected to be delivered within 120 months. The aircraft slated for delivery will derive power from engines that will also be produced using Türkiye’s national capabilities.
This deal encompasses not only the provision of the KAAN aircraft but also incorporates substantial technology transfer elements in the aviation sector. Through this strategic partnership, Türkiye and Indonesia aspire to enhance knowledge exchange and boost local competencies. The contract also envisions utilizing Indonesia’s industrial framework and production capabilities for the KAAN initiative.
The initial official announcement regarding the KAAN sale to Indonesia was made by the President of Türkiye, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. He expressed:
“I trust that this agreement, which clearly showcases the advancements and capabilities of our domestic and national defense sector, will prove advantageous for both Türkiye and Indonesia. I offer my heartfelt regards and appreciation to my distinguished counterpart, President Prabowo Subianto of Indonesia, in whose presence this agreement was formalized. I also congratulate our Presidency of Defence Industries, Turkish Aerospace Industries, and all organizations involved in the creation of KAAN and in finalizing this unprecedented export contract in our Republic’s history.”
⸻
KAAN: Türkiye’s Fifth-Generation Fighter Aircraft
KAAN epitomizes the zenith of Turkish engineering as a fifth-generation, multi-role combat aircraft. With its exceptional maneuverability, minimal radar cross-section (stealth), AI-enabled avionics, and network-centric warfare capabilities, KAAN is devised to provide exceptional performance in both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. It also embodies Türkiye’s ambition for complete autonomy in the defense industry.
KAAN successfully completed its inaugural flight on February 21, 2024, heralding a new chapter in Turkish aviation history. The aircraft ascended into the skies for the second time on May 6, 2024.
In the forthcoming phases of the KAAN initiative, the integration of a locally developed engine is projected, with the goal of rendering the platform wholly indigenous and further amplifying its export capabilities.
