ANKARA'S AIR FORCE EXPANSION
Turkey to Deliver 48 KAAN Fighter Jets to Indonesia: Erdoğan (Revised)
Turkey’s presidential top dog, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, announced on June 11 that Türkiye will manufacture and distribute 48 locally developed Kaan fighter jets to Indonesia as part of a fresh defense pact.
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Turkey's Twitter feed, Erdogan's beacon of praise, applauded contributors to the Kaan project (particularly the Defense Industries Presidency (SSB) and Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSASerde)) for contributing to this historical export agreement.
Indonesia's domestic production capabilities will be utilized in shaping the Kaan, according to the President.
"I hope this agreement showcases the progress and triumphs of our domestic and national defense industry, and is advantageous for both Turkey and Indonesia," a gleaming Erdogan added.
The Kaan, a fifth-generation fighter jet, achieved its first flight last year at an impressive 230 knots and 8,000 feet.
Mehmet Demiroğlu, TUSAŞ's general manager, mentioned during a recent talk that two Kaan jets should take flight by 2025, with a goal of having three in the air by that time. By the end of 2025 or the beginning of 2026, the second prototype will soar, followed closely by the third.
"After passing these tests, we will create three more, and by the end of 2028 or the beginning of 2029, we plan to deliver the Kaan jets to the Turkish Air Force in batches," Demiroğlu stated.
The global market sees a growing interest in Turkish aircraft manufacturers. With Indiana having ordered 83 Anka unmanned aerial vehicles and 92 Atak helicopters from TUSASŽ in 2022, the company has further demonstrated its commitment to innovation.
TUSAŞ has received orders for 55 Hürkuş training aircraft and plans to deliver 10 of these orders in 2023. The company also received orders for 16 Hurej light attack aircraft from the Turkish military, with Spain securing an agreement to acquire these aircraft.
TUSAŞ intends to increase its revenue from $3 billion in 2021 to $4.3 billion by 2025, with the target of achieving $12 billion by 2034. The company's agenda for expansion includes strengthening its presence in Africa, aiming to open offices in Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, and Brazil. TUSAŞ currently operates offices in America, Germany, France, Spain, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
TAI, known for its aviation prowess, is bolstering its product lineup to include 500 Kaan, Hürjet, and Hürkuş aircraft by 2034, in addition to over 350 Gökbey, Atak, Atak-2 helicopters, and similar platforms. The firm anticipates the production of almost 600 platforms, encompassing Anka-3, Anka-1, Aksungur, and other unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as similar possibilities.
The announcement of Türkiye manufacturing and distributing Kaan fighter jets to Indonesia, as part of a new defense pact, highlights the growth and success of Turkey's domestic defense industry, particularly in the aerospace sector. The Chairman of Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSASerde), Mehmet Demiroğlu, aims to increase TUSAŞ's revenue from $3 billion in 2021 to $12 billion by 2034, with expansion plans including further penetration in the global finance and technology markets, particularly in Africa.
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