Country of Origin: Turkey

Type: Fifth-Generation Multirole Stealth Fighter Aircraft

First Flight: February 21, 2024

Price: Estimated $100+ million per unit (varies by configuration)

Manufacturer: Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI)

System Components: Stealth airframe; AESA radar; Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS); Infrared Search and Track (IRST); twin-engine propulsion; modular weapons and avionics suite

Powerplant: 2 × General Electric F110-GE-129 turbofans (planned future indigenous Turkish engines)

Maximum Speed: Mach 1.8

Range: Estimated 1,200+ km combat radius

Service Ceiling: 55,800 ft (17,000 m)

Maximum Takeoff Weight: Estimated 60,000 lb (27,200 kg)

Wingspan: 46 ft (14 m)

Length: 69 ft (21 m)

Height: 19.7 ft (6 m)

Payload: Estimated 15,000 lb (6,800 kg)

Hardpoints: Internal weapons bays and external hardpoints (exact number classified)

Description:

The TAI TF Kaan is Turkey’s first indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter, developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) as a next-generation multirole combat aircraft. It is designed to replace Turkey’s aging fleet of F-4E Phantoms and serve alongside F-16s in the Turkish Air Force.

TF Kaan features stealth capabilities, advanced avionics, a twin-engine configuration, and an AI-assisted sensor fusion system for air superiority, strike missions, and electronic warfare operations. The aircraft will support manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) with drones and integrate a Turkish-made AESA radar developed by ASELSAN.

The aircraft is expected to be a key component of Turkey’s air defense, reducing reliance on foreign fighter jets and enabling long-range operations with superior situational awareness and network-centric warfare capabilities.

Variants:

  • TF Kaan (Single-Seat Variant): Standard multirole fighter with full stealth and combat capabilities.
  • Twin-Seat Variant (Planned): Under development for enhanced training and manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) operations.

Operators & Users:

Current Operator:

  • Turkish Air Force (TAF): Planned procurement as Turkey’s next-generation fighter.

Potential Future Operators:

  • Azerbaijan: Signed an agreement in 2023 to participate in the TF Kaan program.
  • Pakistan: Expressed interest in acquiring the aircraft.
  • Other NATO and Middle Eastern countries: Possible future buyers based on export agreements.

Development Timeline:

  • Project Initiation: 2011
  • Prototype Assembly: Began in 2022
  • First Rollout: March 2023
  • First Flight: February 21, 2024
  • Second Test Flight: May 6, 2024
  • Expected Service Entry: 2030

The TF Kaan represents Turkey’s ambition to develop a fully indigenous fighter jet, reducing dependence on foreign aircraft such as the F-35 and Eurofighter Typhoon. With planned future upgrades, including hypersonic missile compatibility and advanced AI integration, TF Kaan is expected to be a major component of Turkey’s defense strategy for decades to come.