TAI TF Kaan
The TAI Kaan, also referred to as the TF and MMU, is a stealth, twin-engine, all-weather air superiority fighter currently under development by Turkish Aerospace Industries. Designed to replace the Turkish Air Force’s fleet of F-16 Fighting Falcons, the Kaan is also intended for export to international markets.
The prototype performed taxi and ground tests on 16 March 2023 and was ceremonially rolled out two days later. Its maiden flight, initially scheduled for 27 December 2023, one day before the maiden flight of the TAI Anka-3, was completed on 21 February 2024.
Development
On 15 December 2010, Turkey's Defence Industry Executive Committee approved the design, development, and manufacture of a national next-generation air superiority fighter to replace Turkey's F-16 fleet and operate alongside other key assets such as the F-35 Lightning II.In 2011, Turkey's Undersecretariat for Defence Industries, now known as the Defence Industry Agency, signed an agreement with Turkish Aerospace Industries for the conceptual development of the aircraft's basic capabilities. TAI and TUSAŞ Engine Industries were assigned to lead the design, development, and entry processes of the fighter. The studies aimed to determine the fighter’s cost, evaluate potential mechanical and electronic systems, and assess the opportunities and challenges within military aviation.
Funding of approximately US$20 million was allocated for a two-year conceptual design phase, conducted by TAI. TAI officials projected completion of this phase by late 2013, after which a report would be submitted to the Prime Minister to approve the budget and framework for the development phase. Janes described the project as "extremely ambitious."
In 2024, it was announced that TÜBİTAK and Aselsan would support TAI in the development and construction of the aircraft.
Bid
In March 2015, the Turkish Undersecretariat for Defence Industries issued a Request for Information to Turkish companies which had the capability "to perform a genuine design, development and production activities of the first Turkish fighter aircraft to meet Turkish Armed Forces' next generation fighter requirements" signalling the official start of the program. The contract for design and development of the fighter was signed between the SSM of Ministry of Turkish National Defence and Turkish Aerospace Industries Inc. in August 2016. The SSM granted $1.18 bn. to Turkish Aerospace Industries to acquire necessary technologies and infrastructure for the design, testing and certification of the aircraft.In the same period, Request for Proposal was published for the engine of the aircraft, and General Electric, Eurojet and Snecma companies returned to this file. Within the scope of the RFP, the condition was for the engine infrastructure to be developed in Turkey and production be domestic as long as possible.
Development schedule
Development Phase-1 was expected to officially commence by the end of 2014, however, initial conditions were met and the project was officially started in late 2018.In June 2021, the Turkish Air Force made a presentation about the TF-X program to the press. It was stated that Phase-1 Stage-1 had started with preliminary design works, right after T0 stage. As part of preliminary design activities, a system requirements review is currently being carried out. By the end of 2022, system functionality review and system requirements review will be completed. Thus, the preliminary design activities will come to an end. The program is expected to go to the next stage by 2023 when the initial roll-out occurs with engines capable of taxiing.
Phase-1 Stage-2 involves detailed design and qualifications carried out in the 2022-2029 period. The aircraft will roll out in 2023, critical design review activities will be carried out in 2024, the production of the first aircraft, called Block-0, will be completed in 2025 and the first flight will be accomplished in 2026. Until that date, TAI aims to manufacture 3 prototypes. The Block-1 configuration is planned to be developed until 2029. The manufacture of 10 Block-1 fighter jets is planned within the scope of Phase-2, and the aircraft will be delivered to the Turkish Air Force between 2030 and 2033. In Phase-3, between 2034 and 2040, development and mass production activities of other TF-X blocks is planned.
Partnerships
Saab AB
In February 2013, meetings were held with Saab AB upon the instruction of then-Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. An agreement was signed between TAI and the Swedish firm Saab during the state visit of then-Turkish President Abdullah Gül to Sweden in March 2013, according to which:- Saab AB would provide technological design assistance for Turkey's TF-X program.
- TAI would have the option to purchase Saab's fighter aircraft design unit.
BAE Systems
In December 2015, Turkey's Undersecretariat for Defence Industries announced that it had chosen BAE Systems of the United Kingdom to assist with the design of the nation's next-generation air superiority fighter. On the same day, Rolls-Royce offered technology transfer for the EJ200 engine and joint-development of a derivative for the TF-X program. During the visit of British Prime Minister Theresa May to Turkey in January 2017, BAE Systems and TAI officials signed an agreement, worth about £100 million, for BAE Systems to provide engineering assistance in developing the aircraft. Following the agreement, the UK issued an open general export licence to defence companies willing to export goods, software or technology to Turkey.Engine
On 20 January 2015, ASELSAN of Turkey signed a memorandum of understanding with Eurojet, the manufacturer of the EJ200 engine used in the Eurofighter Typhoon. A derivative of the EJ200 will be used in the TF-X program. The two companies will additionally collaborate and co-develop engine control software systems and engine maintenance monitoring systems.Turkey's selection of the EJ200 evidenced TAI's intention to use supercruise capability. In May 2017, Rolls-Royce established a joint venture with the Kale Group of Turkey to develop and manufacture engines for the project. Another competitor is TRMotor Power Systems Inc. established in April 2017 by BMC, TAI and SSTEK. In November 2018, TRMotor signed a memorandum of understanding with the Presidency of Defence Industries to develop a jet engine for the TF-X project.
While General Electric did not openly express interest in the TF-X project, its local partner Tusaş Engine Industries announced that it will participate in the engine development phase. In June 2018, TEI General Manager Mahmut Faruk Akşit said that they proposed a mature engine for which they had completed a commercial proposal for the infrastructure of sub-component tests for the compressor. He emphasized the advantage of GE engines over its competitors stating that they have significant OEM support whereas the collaboration between other companies were yet to thrive. TEI committed to submit all intellectual rights to the government. In October 2018, local media reported that an unknown number of initial production fighters will be equipped with General Electric F110 engines until Turkish Air Engine Company finalizes the local engine.
On 14 March 2022, Kale & Rolls-Royce re-started the progress of developing an engine for the TF-X program, stating that the previous disputes between the companies have been resolved and that the first prototypes of the TF-X will use the F110 engine.
On 5 March 2022, İsmail Demir, undersecretary for Defence Industries, said the government would now negotiate a possible engine deal with Rolls-Royce. “We had some issues before. These have been resolved. I think we are ready to work together.”
In May 2022, while visiting the UK, Demir said, "It is imperative for us that the engine be produced in Turkey… that Turkey should possess intellectual property rights." His statement implied that the same dispute over intellectual properties of the engine which previously stalled the negotiation between Rolls-Royce and Turkey in 2019 remained unresolved.
As of 2 June 2022, an unknown number of General Electric F110 engines were delivered to TEI as the first batch, according to the agreement between Tusaş Engine Industries and GE Aerospace, that comprises a total delivery of 10 engines.
In July 2022, the Defence Industry Agency published the invitation to tender for the domestic development of the engine to be used. İsmail Demir, undersecretary for Defence Industry Agency, stated that TRMotor, which is a subsidiary of TAI, has submitted its proposal and Turkish Air Engine Company, consortium by Kale Group and Rolls-Royce, will submit its offer soon.
In January 2025, President of Defence Industry Agency Haluk Görgün said that after 2030, Kaan will fly with a completely domestic engine. The TF35000 project was announced by the Tusaş Engine Industries in May 2025.
Production
On 4 November 2021, the first piece of the MMU was manufactured. Temel Kotil, CEO of TAI said; The other 20,000 parts of TF-X were planned to be ready by the end of 2022.In February 2022, TAI's Deputy General Manager responsible for the TFX, Dr. Uğur Zengin, stated that 550 TF-X parts were in production. The maiden flight was planned for 2025, but has been rescheduled for the end of 2023.
The aircraft was officially named Kaan on 1 May 2023.
In May 2023, TAI CEO Temel Kotil said the company expects to deliver twenty Block 10 aircraft to the Turkish Air Force in 2028, then two aircraft per month by 2029, generating $2.4 billion in annual revenues for TAI.
Kotil also warned that the price tag of the aircraft may surpass his 2021 promise of $100 million per unit. This led the company to seek additional capital and production workers. In July 2023, at the 16th International Defense Industry Fair, a protocol agreement was signed to bring Azerbaijan into the project. Project officials began looking for Azerbaijani companies and production facilities that could be used and 200 Azerbaijani workers were to be immediately dispatched to join the project.