KAAN Deliveries & Inventory: When Will It Be Delivered, How Many Planned? (2026)

KAAN is a low-observable (stealth) 5th-generation fighter designed for air superiority and multi-role missions. With internal weapons bays, an indigenous AESA radar and sensor fusion, it targets the capabilities required by modern air combat.

It is being developed to replace Türkiye’s aging F-16 fleet and to fill, with an indigenous solution, the gap left after Türkiye’s removal from the F-35 program. KAAN is thus the most ambitious and strategic project of the Turkish aerospace industry.

KAAN sits at the center of both the Turkish Air Force’s fleet plan and international interest. The table summarises operators/customers and numbers per open sources.

Beyond Türkiye’s ~100-aircraft fleet target, around nine countries are reported to be evaluating KAAN through 2035, making it a potential export star.

KAAN rolled out on 18 March 2023 and made its first flight on 21 February 2024 at Mürted Air Base, making Türkiye one of the few nations to fly its own 5th-generation fighter.

Per the announced plan, the first 20 Block-10 aircraft will reach the Turkish Air Force in 2028–2030. TUSAŞ aims to fly three prototypes by the end of 2026 to accelerate testing.

KAAN’s early prototypes and blocks use US-made General Electric F110-GE-129 turbofans. As of 2025, 10 F110 engines had been received, with talks underway for 80 more.

KAAN belongs to the 5th-generation class alongside the US F-35 and F-22, China’s J-20 and Russia’s Su-57. With Europe’s GCAP and FCAS still in development, KAAN’s flying prototype gives Türkiye a time advantage.

Its edge is developing many subsystems — radar, avionics, air-to-air missiles — indigenously and offering a model open to co-production and export. The Indonesian order shows this model can attract international buyers even at the project stage.

KAAN’s mission systems are largely supplied by domestic institutions: ASELSAN develops the indigenous AESA radar and electronic-warfare systems, with avionics and sensor fusion from various organizations.

For weapons, the aircraft is designed to carry TÜBİTAK SAGE and ROKETSAN Gökdoğan and Bozdoğan air-to-air missiles internally, plus standoff munitions like the SOM cruise missile — preserving its stealth profile while delivering high strike power.

KAAN is a strategic project shaping the future of Türkiye’s air power. After removal from the F-35 program, obtaining a next-generation air-superiority capability indigenously is critical to national security.

The project also feeds a vast domestic industry across engines, radar, avionics and missiles. Export deals like Indonesia’s make KAAN not just a defense item but an economic and diplomatic lever for Türkiye.

Per the announced plan, the first 20 Block-10 aircraft will be delivered to the Turkish Air Force in 2028–2030, with first deliveries targeted for 2028–2029.

Türkiye targets a fleet of about 100 for its air force. The first batch is 20 Block-10 aircraft, with numbers rising further through exports.

KAAN made its maiden flight on 21 February 2024 at Mürted (Akıncı) Air Base, after its roll-out on 18 March 2023.

Early prototypes and blocks use US-made General Electric F110 engines. The indigenous TEI TF35000 is planned for Block 30/40 aircraft from around 2032.

Indonesia became the first export customer with a firm order for 48. Indigenous-engine versions are targeted to enter both Turkish and Indonesian inventories from 2032.

Early Block 10 and Block 20 use the F110, while Block 30/40 are planned with the indigenous TF35000, each block bringing more mature avionics and capability.