TUSAŞ Chief Executive Officer Mehmet Demiroğlu announced that armed firing tests for Turkey's indigenous fifth-generation KAAN fighter jet will begin in 2027 using the third prototype. The announcement was made during an interview with TRT Haber, where Demiroğlu stated the aircraft has reached sufficient maturity for this phase of testing.
Why it matters
- KAAN is designed as a fifth-generation stealth fighter with low observability, supersonic cruise capability, and a target speed of Mach 1.8.
- Live-fire tests will be conducted from both underwing pylons and internal weapons bays, with plans to integrate domestically developed munitions.
- The jet will feature an AESA radar, electronic warfare systems, and AI-assisted avionics, and is slated to carry indigenous missiles including SOM, GÖKHAN, GÖKDOĞAN, and BOZDOĞAN, developed by TÜBİTAK SAGE.
Reaching the armed test phase marks a critical milestone in Turkey's pursuit of indigenous fifth-generation fighter jet production. This advancement supports the modernization of the Turkish Air Force and aims to reduce reliance on foreign defense systems by strengthening domestic aerospace capabilities.
Source: ssbulten tercüme