(MENAFN- AzerNews)
By Alimat Aliyeva
After the launch of mass production of KAAN combat aircraft –
the first Turkish fighter of national production – Turkiye intends
to transfer about 150 units from the first batch to the allied
countries, Azernews reports.
According to the Report with reference to Star, this was stated
by Mehmet Demiroglu, the new secretary general of the state
aerospace company TUSAŞ, engaged in the development of 5th
generation KAAN fighters.
"At the first stage, we intend to produce more than 100 units
for the needs of the Turkish Air Force. Approximately the same
number of fighters will be produced for friendly and allied
countries. Currently, several countries are showing serious
interest in KAAN. To be precise, we are talking about about 150
units. Initially, we plan to produce about 250-300 aircraft.
However, the priority will remain to meet the needs of the domestic
Air Force," he said.
He also stressed that after the launch of production, Turkiye
will become one of the four countries in the world producing
fifth-generation fighters.
"The first KAAN in the Blok-10 configuration will be ready in
2025. After that, the main test flights will begin. The tests will
be completed no earlier than 2028. We plan to deliver the first 20
aircraft in 2028," Demiroglu added.
Demiroglu said that the difference between the first Blok-10
configuration and subsequent more modernized KAAN models, which are
planned to be produced in the future, has not been disclosed:
"However, the first batch of aircraft in the Blok-10 configuration
will be several times superior to the fighters in service with the
Turkish Air Force – in terms of stealth, speed, radars. For
example, the AESA radar installed on KAAN [manufactured by the
Turkish defense giant ASELSAN] has a longer range than the same
radar installed on the F-16. With each new configuration, KAAN's
capabilities will be improved."
The fifth-generation KAAN fighter is the first Turkish-made
national combat aircraft, and has been under development since
2017. The prototype fighter made its first flight on February 22,
2024. Serial production is planned for 2028.
At the end of July 2023, the Ministry of Defense Industry of
Azerbaijan and TUSAŞ signed a protocol on cooperation on the KAAN
project. After that, in March 2024, former CEO of TUSAŞ Temel Kotil
informed the media that one of the KAAN components would be
manufactured in Azerbaijan.
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