Indonesia Becomes First Exporter of Türkiye’s High-Tech Fighter Jet KAAN

Tangerang, 27 July 2025

Indonesia has become the first international buyer of Türkiye’s latest fifth-generation fighter jet, KAAN, marking a historic milestone in defense cooperation between the two nations. The multi-billion-dollar deal involves the purchase of 48 KAAN units, signaling Indonesia’s ambition to modernize its air force with cutting-edge technology.

The agreement was finalized in late July 2025 after months of negotiations and strategic dialogue. The jets will be delivered gradually over the next few years, with a portion of them assembled jointly in Indonesia to strengthen bilateral technological partnerships. This makes Indonesia not only the first export customer of KAAN but also a key participant in the aircraft’s global rollout.

The KAAN jet, developed by Türkiye’s Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), features stealth capabilities, supercruise speed, advanced avionics, and is comparable to the U.S. F-35. The Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) is expected to use these fighters for both air superiority and precision strike missions.

This move is part of President Prabowo Subianto’s defense modernization agenda, aimed at reducing dependency on traditional Western suppliers and diversifying Indonesia’s military assets. Turkish officials have praised Indonesia’s commitment, stating it sets a precedent for broader defense export markets in Southeast Asia.

Experts say this deal will also impact the balance of air power in the region, given Indonesia’s strategic location and growing role in Indo-Pacific security dialogues. Additionally, joint training programs and industrial cooperation are expected to follow the sale.

source: https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkiye-inks-landmark-deal-to-export-48-kaan-jets-to-indonesia-211885?utm_source=chatgpt.com