
President of the Presidency of Defense Industries Haluk Görgün shared the second prototype of the national combat aircraft KAAN with the public for the first time in a press conference. Görgün evaluated Turkey's export success and future goals in the defense industry, stating that KAAN will be delivered in 2 and equipped with a domestic engine in the 2028s.
Defense Industry Exports at Record Level
Haluk Görgün announced that defense industry products were exported to 2024 countries in 180 and total exports reached 7 billion dollars. Stating that 3 of the 500 defense industry companies operating in Turkey export, Görgün said that the most exported products are UAVs, SIHAs, smart missiles, military helicopters and air radar systems.
Görgün emphasized that the high-performance electro-optical reconnaissance and surveillance system ASELFLIR-500 developed by ASELSAN was exported to 2024 countries in 16, and shared their goal of increasing export figures to double-digit levels within 2 years. He stated that the total export contracts signed in 2023 and 2024 exceeded 20 billion dollars.
Technical and Strategic Importance of KAAN
As a reflection of these achievements in the defense industry, Turkey's 5th generation fighter jet KAAN continues to be a great source of pride. Görgün stated that the KAAN project was initiated to meet the needs of the Air Force Command and was developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries Inc. (TUSAŞ).
KAAN reached an important milestone with its first flight on February 21, 2024. Görgün stated that a total of 6 prototypes will be produced and the aircraft will be delivered in 2028. He also stated that KAAN will operate with a completely domestic engine in the 2030s, emphasizing that this technological step will strengthen Turkey's independence in the defense industry.
Turkey's Goals in the Defense Industry
Stating that European countries hold an important place in defense industry exports, Görgün reiterated Turkey's goal of being among the leading countries in this field. He drew attention to the fact that the successes achieved in UAV and SIHA technologies in particular have increased Turkey's global competitive power.
KAAN, which will be delivered in 2028, aims to demonstrate Turkey's capabilities in modern war technologies while reducing foreign dependency in the defense industry with projects such as domestic engine integration.
The visualization of KAAN's second prototype draws attention as a reflection of Turkey's ambitious goals in the defense industry. The data and future plans shared by Haluk Görgün clearly reveal Turkey's strategic steps in the defense industry. As one of the most concrete indicators of these steps, KAAN will continue to increase the reputation of the Turkish defense industry in the international arena.