Türkiye’s Ambitious Goal: Fully Indigenous KAAN Fighter Jet Engine by 2032
Türkiye is accelerating its efforts to eliminate foreign dependency in its next-generation fighter program, with Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) announcing its aim to complete the full domestic development of the KAAN jet engine by 2032. This target not only reinforces Türkiye’s strategic autonomy ambitions but also highlights the nation’s engineering and manufacturing maturity in the defence and aerospace sector.
TAI CEO Mehmet Demiroğlu confirmed that while an initial version of the KAAN will fly with a foreign powerplant—specifically the General Electric F110 engine—a locally developed power unit will ultimately replace it. This indigenous engine will be designed, developed, and tested entirely within Türkiye’s national infrastructure, and would serve as the backbone for future KAAN production phases.
TEI, and TRMotor: The Engine Partnership Behind the Vision
The ambitious engine development plan will be executed in collaboration with Tusas Engine Industries (TEI) and TRMotor, a company under the Turkish Aerospace umbrella, responsible for propulsion system design. While initial timelines suggested a mid-2030s delivery, Kotil’s announcement accelerates this to 2032.
“We expect our national engine to be ready by 2032. That’s our target. Until then, we will continue flying KAAN with the F110 engine,” — Mehmet Demiroğlu, CEO, TAI
The new indigenous engine will be benchmarked against twin-engine fifth-generation stealth aircraft powerplants, such as those in the F-22 Raptor and Su-57, aiming to deliver high thrust-to-weight ratios, stealth optimization, and supercruise capability.
Strategic Impact: Reducing Foreign Dependency in Combat Air Power
The KAAN engine program is part of a broader push by Türkiye to nationalize critical subsystems in defense platforms—from avionics and AESA radars to mission computers and electronic warfare suites.
If successful, Türkiye would join an elite club of nations—such as the U.S., Russia, and China—that develop both fifth-generation fighter aircraft and their propulsion systems entirely in-house. This would:
- Eliminate risks associated with export restrictions or political embargoes (e.g., CAATSA-like measures).
- Enable customized upgrades across the KAAN fleet.
- Support Türkiye’s export ambitions by offering fully sovereign fighter jet packages to non-aligned nations.
Program Timeline and International Context
- 2028: Entry into serial production phase with foreign engine.
- 2032: Integration of locally developed engine.
- 2040: Projected completion of KAAN Block III with advanced sensors, AI-assisted targeting, and stealth refinement.
Meanwhile, Türkiye’s KAAN is being closely observed by regional and NATO allies, especially as it positions itself as an alternative to GCAP (Global Combat Air Programme) and FCAS (Future Combat Air System) for mid-tier air forces seeking fifth-gen capabilities without full political entanglements.
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Read also: Türkiye signs historic 48-aircraft KAAN export deal with Indonesia
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