KAAN vs F-35 vs Su-57: Where Türkiye’s Fifth-Generation Fighter Stands
KAAN vs F-35 vs Su-57: Where Türkiye’s Fifth-Generation Fighter Stands
After Türkiye was removed from the F-35 programme in 2019, the KAAN (formerly TF-X) became more than a national project — it became the test of whether a country outside the U.S. and Russia could deliver a fifth-generation fighter. Here is how it compares to the F-35 Lightning II and the Su-57 Felon today.
Programme Maturity
This is the single biggest gap. The F-35 has over 1,000 airframes delivered to 17 operators. The Su-57 has roughly two dozen serial aircraft in Russian service. KAAN flew its maiden flight in February 2024 and remains in early flight test, with serial production targeted for the late 2020s.
| Parameter | KAAN | F-35A | Su-57 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Origin | Türkiye (TUSAŞ) | United States | Russia |
| First flight | 2024 | 2006 | 2010 |
| In service | 2028 (planned) | 2016 | 2020 |
| Engines | 2 × F110 (interim) | 1 × F135 | 2 × AL-41F1 / Izd-30 |
| Max speed | Mach 1.8+ (target) | Mach 1.6 | Mach 2 |
| Combat radius | ~1,100 km (target) | ~1,200 km | ~1,500 km |
| Internal weapons | Planned | Yes | Yes |
| AESA radar | MURAD (ASELSAN) | AN/APG-81 | N036 Byelka |
| Export status | MoU with Indonesia, talks ongoing | 17 operators | Algeria order, limited |
The F-35 Is The Benchmark — And The Bottleneck
The F-35 is the only fifth-generation fighter with a mature production line, mature sensor fusion and a global sustainment network. Lockheed Martin and the U.S. government control who gets one — and Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Egypt have all run into that wall at different points.
The Su-57 — Capable On Paper, Limited In Reality
Russia has struggled to deliver Su-57s in numbers, and the Izdeliye 30 second-stage engine that unlocks its full performance is still maturing. Sanctions, the Ukraine war and supply-chain damage make it a difficult buy outside a small group of countries already aligned with Moscow.
Where KAAN Fits
KAAN’s value proposition is not “better than F-35” — it is “available to buyers who cannot get the F-35.” Indonesia has signed an MoU, and discussions reportedly continue with Pakistan, Azerbaijan and several Gulf states. Türkiye is willing to negotiate technology transfer and co-production in ways neither the U.S. nor Russia will.
The realistic timeline: serial deliveries to the Turkish Air Force in the late 2020s, first export deliveries in the early 2030s. That gap matters — but for buyers planning a 30-year force structure, a fifth-generation fighter available in 2032 is a serious option compared to no fifth-generation fighter at all.
Verdict for Export Buyers
F-35 if you have unconditional U.S. alliance status and accept American sustainment lock-in. Su-57 only if you are politically aligned with Russia and can absorb sanctions risk. KAAN if you need a fifth-generation path with technology transfer and political room to manoeuvre — and you can wait until the early 2030s for first delivery.
