KAAN fighter jet export deal signed between Türkiye and Indonesia
Türkiye signs KAAN fighter jet export deal with Indonesia, marking the first overseas sale of its 5th-generation stealth aircraft.
Türkiye’s National Combat Aircraft Marks Strategic Milestone in Global Market
In a landmark defence and aerospace agreement, Türkiye has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Indonesia for the export of 48 KAAN fifth-generation fighter jets. This milestone marks the first international commitment to the KAAN platform and reflects growing global confidence in Türkiye’s indigenous aerospace capabilities.
The $6 billion agreement was formalized between Turkish Aerospace (TUSAŞ) and Indonesian state officials, with the delivery of the aircraft expected in batches of 16. The deal not only represents the largest international sale of a domestically produced Turkish aircraft, but also sets the stage for broader defence-industrial cooperation between the two countries.
Türkiye’s Aerospace Diplomacy Gains Altitude
KAAN, developed under the National Combat Aircraft (TF-X) program by TUSAŞ with close support from the Presidency of Defence Industries (SSB), embodies Türkiye’s ambition to join the elite league of fifth-generation fighter producers. The aircraft boasts stealth technology, supercruise capabilities, advanced avionics, and a modular open-system architecture designed for multi-role dominance.
The export agreement with Indonesia is widely seen as a product of Türkiye’s increasingly agile defence diplomacy and the effectiveness of high-level intergovernmental coordination. According to reports, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan personally played a facilitative role in advancing the dialogue between the parties.
“This agreement is not just a sale; it is a strategic alliance. We are opening a new chapter in aerospace cooperation between Türkiye and Indonesia,” a senior defence official stated during the signing ceremony.
Strategic Implications for Southeast Asia and Beyond
Indonesia, which currently operates a diverse fleet including Su-27/30s and F-16s, is modernizing its air force amid rising regional tensions. The KAAN deal positions Indonesia as the first Southeast Asian country to invest in a fifth-generation fighter from a non-Western source, indicating a diversification of procurement away from traditional suppliers.
For Türkiye, this contract signals a breakthrough in its long-term strategy of reducing dependence on foreign platforms and becoming a global exporter of high-end defence systems. The agreement may also open doors to joint production, technology sharing, and long-term lifecycle support partnerships in the region.
Internal & External Integration
This export breakthrough also serves as a critical point in Türkiye’s broader military-industrial strategy. Turkish defence manufacturers, especially SAHA Istanbul members, play a pivotal role in developing KAAN subsystems, including mission computers, radar systems, cockpit electronics, and flight control mechanisms.
The deal has received positive attention from international observers. According to Defense News, the agreement could reshape fifth-gen competition in the Indo-Pacific region.
Conclusion
The Türkiye–Indonesia KAAN fighter jet export deal is more than a commercial success—it’s a diplomatic and technological leap forward. With 48 aircraft on order, the agreement marks Türkiye’s formal entry into the competitive landscape of fifth-generation fighter jet exports, previously dominated by the United States, Russia, and China.
