BEIJING: The newly developed 5th generation stealth combat aircraft by the Türkiye ‘KAAN’ has been given special attention by the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) official newspaper, PLA Daily through an extensive feature.
The ambitious defence project has already garnered considerable attention in global media. The Chinese military media has termed the project as a landmark achievement in Türkiye’s defence industry.
The report noted that KAAN is the first independently developed fifth-generation fighter jet, stressing its cutting-edge capabilities, including supersonic cruise, super maneuverability, radar stealth and advanced detection systems.
According to the article, these features establish KAAN as a legitimate fifth-generation aircraft, a prestigious category shared by only a few nations in the world.
It said the Türkiye’s Defense Industry Executive Committee announced the initiation of the project in 2010. A significant milestone was achieved in August 2016 with the signing of a $20 billion development contract between Türkiye’s National Defense Ministry and Turkish Aerospace Industries Inc. (TAI).
The article added that Türkiye’s exclusion from the U.S.-led F-35 fighter jet program, after its decision to purchase the Russian-made S-400 air defense system, played a vital role in bolstering Türkiye’s resolve to develop KAAN.
The PLA Daily also referred to TAI General Manager Mehmet Demiroğlu, who expressed confidence in securing approximately 300 orders for KAAN, including over 100 for the Turkish Air Force Command and additional orders from countries like Azerbaijan and Pakistan.
The article notes that Türkiye’s involvement in the F-35 program significantly strengthened its aerospace manufacturing capabilities.
However, KAAN’s development has captured wide attention across the globe, further solidifying Türkiye’s growing presence on the global military stage.
Highlighting the broader impact of Türkiye’s defence programs, the article notes that the country’s dependence on foreign military technology has dramatically reduced.
Additionally, the number of aerospace and defence companies in Türkiye has increased from 56 in 2002 to over 1,500 by 2019.
The article said that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, remarks on KAAN’s launching that Türkiye had crossed a critical threshold in fighter jet production, further enhanced the KAAN’s status as a symbol of national pride and technological advancement.
