Maiden flight KAAN fighter aircraft

On 20 February 2024, the TAI TF Kaan National Combat Aircraft (MMU - Milli Muharip Uçak) completed its maiden flight, lasting 11 minutes. The new fighter, formerly known as the TF-X, was accompanied by a Turkish Air Force (TurAF) F-16D Fighting Falcon.

Scramble Magazine first reported on the rollout of the stealth twin-engine, all-weather air superiority fighter on 18 March 2023.

In December 2010, Turkey's Defence Industry Executive Committee (SSIK) decided to design, develop, and manufacture a national next-generation air-superiority fighter to replace Turkey's F-16 fleet. In 2011, Turkey's Undersecretariat for Defence Industries (SSM), now known as the Defence Industry Agency, the procurement agency for the Turkish Armed Forces, signed an agreement with TAI for the conceptual development of basic capabilities. TAI and TUSAŞ Engine Industries (TEI) would lead the design, entry, and development processes of the fighter jet.

Initially, the aircraft will be powered by the General Electric F110 engine, some of which were delivered in 2022. Future developments may include the use of an indigenously developed TEI engine.

Credit photo: Tolga Özbek / credit patch: Omer Erkemen