Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) has finalized a critically important contract to export 48 KAAN fifth-generation fighter jets to Indonesian defense firms PT Dirgantara Indonesia and PT Republik Aero Dirgantara. This landmark agreement, signed on Friday, July 25, 2025, during the International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF) in Istanbul, not only bolsters defense capabilities but also cements a robust framework for co-production, engineering collaboration, and technology transfer.

The delivery of the 48 KAAN jets, all equipped with engines manufactured in Turkey, is projected to be completed within a 120-month timeframe. Haluk Görgün, President of the Defense Industry Agency of Türkiye, hailed the deal as a “historic moment,” building upon a prior memorandum of understanding established at the Indo Defense 2024 exhibition in Jakarta. Görgün expressed gratitude and excitement, stating, “Through this partnership, we aim to support the development of local industrial infrastructure in Indonesia and strengthen collaboration between our nations in both production and engineering.”

The KAAN platform has garnered considerable international interest, with Görgün hinting at further announcements regarding othre interested nations. KAAN represents Turkey’s inaugural domestically-produced next-generation fighter jet,having successfully completed its maiden flight in early 2024. Currently, three prototypes have been developed, with two additional flight tests scheduled for April 2026 as the program progresses towards mass production.

Mehmet Demiroğlu, TAI General Manager, underscored the program’s importance, noting, “KAAN places Turkey among a select group of nations capable of developing next-generation combat aircraft.”

Further solidifying the defense relationship, Turkish Minister of Defense Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin met with Haluk Görgün on Saturday, july 26, 2025, on the sidelines of IDEF 2025. This meeting emphasized a shared commitment to fostering long-term, strategic defense cooperation. Discussions centered on enhancing bilateral industrial collaboration, encompassing technology transfer, joint research initiatives, and the co-development of military platforms. Both nations reaffirmed their dedication to cultivating a resilient and autonomous defense industry, aligned with their respective national security objectives.Sjafrie reiterated Indonesia’s ongoing pursuit of mutually beneficial and enduring partnerships to bolster the country’s self-reliance in defense manufacturing and modernization.

This agreement aligns with broader global trends in defense industry collaboration, where nations increasingly seek to share technological expertise and production capabilities to enhance national security and economic growth. Turkey’s advancement in developing indigenous defense platforms like the KAAN fighter jet positions it as a significant player in the international defense market.Indonesia’s investment in these advanced aircraft signifies its commitment to modernizing its air force and strengthening its strategic partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region.

This article discusses defense agreements and does not constitute financial, legal, or health advice.

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