KAAN jet sale: Spanish media hail Türkiye’s largest-ever defence export to Indonesia

The recent deal to export Türkiye’s domestically developed KAAN fighter jets to Indonesia has received significant attention in the Spanish defence media, which view the agreement as a landmark achievement for the Turkish defence industry.

According to Anadolu Agency, several Spanish defence and military news outlets have reported on the sale of 48 fifth-generation KAAN fighters to Indonesia, describing it as a “historic and important” moment for Türkiye’s growing defence sector.

The website Zona Militar, in an article titled “Türkiye Reaches Historic Deal with Sale of KAAN to Indonesia,” noted that KAAN completed its maiden flight on February 21, 2024, marking a milestone in Türkiye’s military aviation. The jet flew again on May 6, 2024, continuing the testing phase, with the goal of entering full operational service by 2028.

The report emphasised that the KAAN program reflects Türkiye’s strategic ambition for full independence in defence technology. Designed to carry out both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, KAAN is intended not only to reduce foreign dependence but also to position Türkiye as a serious global competitor in advanced combat systems.

Info Defensa also covered the development, stating, “Türkiye has found the first international buyer for its fifth-generation KAAN fighter jet by selling 48 units to Indonesia.” The outlet further recalled that Spain is preparing to incorporate Türkiye’s HÜRJET advanced trainer aircraft into its own inventory. This comes following a memorandum of understanding signed in Madrid last May between Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ), Airbus, and Spain’s Ministry of Defence.

Additionally, Aviacionline, in a report titled “Turkish Fighter Jet KAAN Prepared for Export to Indonesia,” stressed the scale of the deal, calling it “the largest defence export in Türkiye’s history.”

The article pointed out that the KAAN program, which had its first flight in February 2024, is now undergoing trials and evaluation of six prototypes. The Indonesian deal is not only Türkiye’s most significant military export contract to date, but also a major step forward in the internationalisation of the KAAN platform.

By Tamilla Hasanova