Türkiye to build large numbers of KAAN fighters for Ukraine?

Türkiye to build large numbers of KAAN fighters for Ukraine?

Wednesday, July 10, 2024 13:00 PM (GMT+7)

Ukraine is becoming an important participant in the KAAN fighter project as an engine supplier and could move towards acquiring a significant number of these fighters.

Türkiye's KAAN fighter jet - a product of TAI Group - made its first flight in February this year and will soon enter mass production. According to Defense Express.

In an interview with GDH TV, Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) CEO Mehmet Demiroglu spoke about the truly ambitious plans for the KAAN fighter jet. According to Defense Express.

For Türkiye, this fighter is classified as a fifth generation - according to Mr. Demiroglu's forecast, orders for this type of combat aircraft will reach hundreds of units. According to Defense Express.

Specifically, Demiroglu said that according to preliminary data, more than 100 KAAN fighters are planned to be built for the Turkish Air Force. In addition, TAI Group is also counting on foreign orders. According to Defense Express.

“In addition, we aim to deliver at least the same number, if not more, to Türkiye’s allied and friendly countries, around 150 units,” the TAI CEO noted, according to Defense Express.

So if everything goes according to plan, TAI is expected to receive orders for around 250-300 fighters, Mr. Demiroglu commented, adding: "Of course we are talking about preliminary plans." According to Defense Express.

In early May this year, Türkiye's KAAN fighter jet made its second flight, at the same time, former TAI CEO Temel Kotil said that their fighter will be better than the US F-35 Lightning II. According to Defense Express.

In fact, Türkiye is actively trying to promote its KAAN fighter jet in foreign markets, and there is a fairly simple explanation for this - because if export contracts are signed, the cost of the fighter will be significantly reduced. According to Defense Express.

In the opposite case, when there is no production advantage in scale to amortize the cost of research and development, the price of an aircraft could exceed $100 million, an amount that would be too expensive for Türkiye, according to Defense Express.

As for potential partners, Türkiye signed a cooperation agreement with Azerbaijan last summer. In addition, Pakistan is also being considered as a possible partner in this program, according to Defense Express.

However, more notably, in February this year, Ukrainian Ambassador to Türkiye - Mr. Vasyl Bodnar announced that: "Kyiv will not only participate in the project but also use this fighter." According to Defense Express.

According to Mr. Bodnar: "Ukrainian engineers are actively working for the success of the KAAN project by researching and creating a new generation engine", which makes Kyiv the most potential customer. According to Defense Express.

While other countries have only recently shown interest, Ukraine has already gone very far in the project, so it would not be surprising if they became the first foreign customer. According to Defense Express.

In case the Ukrainian Air Force orders KAAN fighters, the order could be up to 20 aircraft, with delivery time around 2028 to 2030 if everything goes smoothly. According to Defense Express.

PV (according to ANTĐ)

Source: https://danviet.vn/tho-nhi-ky-che-tao-so-luong-lon-tiem-kich-kaan-cho-ukraine-20240710114644137.htm