Latest news with #Kaan
India.com
06-08-2025
- Business
- India.com
This Muslim country, India's friend, to purchase Turkey's 5th gen Kaan fighter jet, name is...; Erdogan threatening US dominance due to...
Turkey's Kaan fighter jet (File) In a major threat to the United States' dominance in the global arms market, Turkey, already considered a drone manufacturing powerhouse, is now posing a challenge to US-made stealth fighter jets, including the F-35 Lightning II, with its indigenous Kaan fighter jet, which is being viewed by many countries as a pocket-friendly, and more accessible to US fighter planes, that come loaded with preconditions, apart from the hefty price tag. According to media reports, Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim country, recently signed a deal with Turkey, to acquire a fleet of 48 Kaan fighter jets, while Egypt has also expressed interest in acquiring the Turkish-made 5th-gen stealth fighter. Experts believe that this poses a direct challenge to the US in the fighter jet market, which is dominated by Washington, its European allies, along with Russia and China. How powerful is Turkey's Kaan fighter jet? Developed by Turkey's state-owned Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) to replace the country's aging fleet of F-16 fighter jets, the TAI Kaan, commonly known as the Kaan, is a 5th-generation, twin engine stealth fighter jet designed for all-weather air superiority. Ankara is presenting the Kaan fighter as a cheaper, more accessible option to the US' F-35 stealth fighter, to entice smaller nations, especially Gulf countries, to purchase the aircraft. Recently, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that Indonesia and Ankara have signed an agreement for the former to purchase 48 Kaan fighter jets, while reports have emerged that Egypt has also expressed interest in the stealth fighter. Why is the US concerned? According to geopolitical experts, the US has not offered the F-35– its most advanced fighter aircraft– to Israel's neighbours in the Middle East as it wants the Jewish nation to retain its technological edge and aerial superiority in the region. Last month, Turkey signed a preliminary deal with Britain and Germany to acquire a fleet of 40 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets, triggering alarm bells amongst Ankara's rivals in the Middle East, including Israel, Greece, and Cyprus. According to media reports, Ankara signed a $5.6 billion deal to acquire the Eurofighter Typhoon, a 4.5 generation ultra-modern fighter jet, jointly developed by Germany, Britain, Italy, and Spain. Erdogan wants to modernize the Turkish air force and made efforts to purchase F-35 fighter jets from its NATO ally, the United States. However, deal remains uncertain, primarily because of Israeli pressure and Ankara's decision to purchase the S-400 air defence system from Russia. Thus, Turkey has settled for the Eurofighter Typhoon, an advanced fighter jet in its own right, which is comparable to the French Dassault Rafale, and US' F-16 fighters.
Middle East Eye
04-08-2025
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Turkish intel academy calls for urgent security reforms after Israel-Iran conflict
A new report compiled by the Turkish National Intelligence Academy on Israel's 12-day war with Iran suggests that Ankara must take a comprehensive set of steps, ranging from ramping up its military deterrence to constructing a new national security architecture, in order to adapt to the latest shifts in modern warfare. The report, released last week, calls for immediate reforms to Ankara's early warning systems, urges the construction of shelters and recommends robust measures to counter potential espionage activities targeting Turkey's defence sector and industry. Although Turkey has made significant investments in its defence industry over the past two decades, the report highlights that notable gaps and vulnerabilities remain. Since 2016, Ankara has emerged as a drone power, producing hundreds of armed unmanned systems such as the Anka and TB2 Bayraktar, which have shifted the balance in conflicts in Ukraine, Libya, Syria and Nagorno-Karabakh. While Turkey is working towards producing its fifth-generation Kaan fighter jet by 2030 and manufacturing air defence systems like the Hisar, its current fighter jet fleet - composed mostly of F-16s - is rapidly ageing. The report provides a detailed analysis of Israel's aerial superiority, noting that its military was able to deploy 300 aircraft in a complex operation involving F-16s, F-35s, armed drones and aerial tankers. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters The attack also featured special operations forces on the ground - or the recruitment of local actors - to strike specific military and civilian targets, and the weaponisation of platforms such as WhatsApp to locate senior officials. Titled '12-Day War and Lessons for Turkey', the report asserts that the conflict has once again confirmed the critical importance of integrating manned and unmanned systems, such as drones, and modernising the Turkish air force's inventory. 'Throughout the war, the necessity of a multi-layered and comprehensive air defence system has also become clear,' it states. 'Moreover, Israel's inability to fully intercept advanced hypersonic missiles launched from Iran, despite extensive support from its allies, underscores the need for Turkey to intensify its own initiatives in this area.' The report urges Ankara to focus on serial production and capacity-building for advanced military systems, including ballistic missiles and hypersonic weapons. 'Weaknesses in Iran's air defence systems have underscored the vital importance of protecting critical facilities with robust air defence,' it says. 'Special attention should be paid to low-altitude air defence systems, particularly at strategic locations such as those housing security bureaucracies.' Additionally, the report recommends establishing an early warning system that covers the entire country, constructing well-equipped shelters, including making use of underground metro stations in major cities, and taking measures to minimise civilian casualties. Significant vulnerability A significant vulnerability for Iran, the report notes, has been the widespread use of technological tools and applications in daily life, such as WhatsApp, a risk that could also affect Turkey. 'Given that many global software and IT companies maintain 'special relationships' with Israel, it is especially important to keep such technologies away from strategic institutions and facilities,' the report warns. The report also suggests that Turkey should deepen its alliances, as Israel has benefited from access to weaponry, intelligence and logistics through its partnerships, whereas organisations like Brics and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation failed to support Iran due to a lack of robust security mechanisms. 'In this context, Turkey's recent steps to repair traditional alliances, which were damaged during the Syrian civil war, have become even more significant,' the report adds. 'Efforts in recent years to improve relations with the United States have positively impacted Turkey's ties with Nato, and it is considered advantageous to continue this process.' The report further emphasises the importance of Turkey's efforts to build its own security alliances with regional countries such as Pakistan, Syria, Qatar and Azerbaijan. 'Eli Cohens inside Iran': How Israel's war exposed deep infiltration and intelligence gaps Read More » The report asserts that the 12-day conflict demonstrates that defence cannot be ensured by military means alone. 'It has become clear that without comprehensive deterrence in the political, economic, and technological spheres, it is impossible to deter the adversary or secure victory through military means alone,' it states. Furthermore, the report notes that Israel has utilised the Republic of Cyprus as a strategic asset in the region. 'It is essential for Turkey to closely monitor this issue and take the necessary precautions,' it says. 'Similarly, Israel's recent interest in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) cannot be explained solely by commercial or economic motives.' There are also reports suggesting that Israelis have been purchasing property in northern Syria. Notably, the vice president of Israel Aerospace Industries, an Israeli state arms company, wrote a column recently suggesting that his country could back a southern takeover of Northern Cyprus. The report warns that, in a scenario where Israel and Iran continue to engage in mutual attacks, Tehran could also pose a threat to Ankara. 'At this stage, Turkey feels at least as threatened by Iran's nuclear activities, extensive missile and UAV arsenals, and regional militia networks as Israel and the United States do,' it states. 'However, in the event of heightened tensions between Turkey and Iran, there is no guarantee that Tehran will refrain from mobilising its capabilities against Ankara. Indeed, during previous Iraq-centered crises, the strongest reactions against Turkey came from Iran-backed militia leaders, who have occasionally carried out harassment attacks against Turkish bases in Iraq.' The report also highlights that active conflict between Iran and Israel could trigger regional instability along Turkey's eastern borders. 'Israel's targeting of major cities with large ethnic minority populations, such as Tabriz and Kermanshah, during the initial attack served purposes beyond the destruction of missile facilities,' it notes. 'Therefore, Turkey must resolutely take all necessary steps to prevent the recurrence of negative developments in Iran, similar to those seen recently in Iraq and Syria.'
BBC News
01-07-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Teen rescued on Norfolk beach on live TV watched as sand vanished
A 13-year-old boy rescued live on television after being stranded by the tide has told how he watched the sand disappear as he waited for help to was at Wells-next-the-Sea, in Norfolk, on Friday enjoying the hot weather with his friends and Look East cameras captured the moment he became stranded by the tide and were still rolling when a RNLI crew carried out the who had swam out to a sandbar after being carried by the tide, said: "I didn't realise how far out I was until I saw the BBC News. I didn't realise how far out and scary it actually was." BBC journalist Debbie Tubby had been reporting from the beach as cameras saw Kaan stranded on the sand bar shortly after the regional news programme started airing at 18:30 BST. After continuing with other reports, the programme then returned to Tubby less than 10 minutes showed the sand covered by water, with the boy being helped by the RNLI crew. The BBC was broadcasting from the beach after 40 people had been cut off by the tide the previous weekend. Alongside friends, Kaan had been playing in the water until he put his feet down and realised he could no longer touch the ground. He said: "It's really scary and worrying... It could really end up tragic and dangerous. "I was very thankful and very pleased that they [RNLI] came. They are great at their job. They are wonderful people." Watching on, his mother, Sam, had entered the water up to knee-height but could not go any further due to the power of the tide. She said: "I felt confident in the fact I could see them [RNLI] coming down the ramp, and I knew they were on their way." Once her son was rescued, she said the feeling of relief turned to slight embarrassment. "It's worse when you're from the area that these things happen... Now it's happened to us, it's made me even more aware of it."If you're a tourist here on holiday, it makes it even worse," she said. "We are lucky to have [the RNLI] just there, where it is a prime position for things happening, or even walkers who get cut off." Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Teen rescued on live TV watched as sand vanished
A 13-year-old boy rescued live on television after being stranded by the tide has told how he watched the sand disappear as he waited for help to arrive. Kaan was at Wells-next-the-Sea, in Norfolk, on Friday enjoying the hot weather with his friends and mum. BBC Look East cameras captured the moment he became stranded by the tide and were still rolling when a RNLI crew carried out the rescue. Kaan, who had swam out to a sandbar after being carried by the tide, said: "I didn't realise how far out I was until I saw the BBC News. I didn't realise how far out and scary it actually was." BBC journalist Debbie Tubby had been reporting from the beach as cameras saw Kaan stranded on the sand bar shortly after the regional news programme started airing at 18:30 BST. Boy's sea rescue captured on live TV report After continuing with other reports, the programme then returned to Tubby less than 10 minutes later. Footage showed the sand covered by water, with the boy being helped by the RNLI crew. The BBC was broadcasting from the beach after 40 people had been cut off by the tide the previous weekend. Alongside friends, Kaan had been playing in the water until he put his feet down and realised he could no longer touch the ground. He said: "It's really scary and worrying... It could really end up tragic and dangerous. "I was very thankful and very pleased that they [RNLI] came. They are great at their job. They are wonderful people." Watching on, his mother, Sam, had entered the water up to knee-height but could not go any further due to the power of the tide. She said: "I felt confident in the fact I could see them [RNLI] coming down the ramp, and I knew they were on their way." Once her son was rescued, she said the feeling of relief turned to slight embarrassment. "It's worse when you're from the area that these things happen... Now it's happened to us, it's made me even more aware of it. "If you're a tourist here on holiday, it makes it even worse," she said. "We are lucky to have [the RNLI] just there, where it is a prime position for things happening, or even walkers who get cut off." Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Why do people get cut off by the tide at Wells? Boy's sea rescue captured on live TV report RNLI
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
First KAAN export prospect: Turkey to deliver 48 jets to Indonesia
ISTANBUL — Turkey and Indonesia signed a memorandum of understanding for the sale of 48 units of the future fifth-generation KAAN fighter aircraft during the INDO Defence 2025 exhibition held in Indonesia. The signing of the agreement was announced by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on June 11 in a post on X. The signing ceremony took place that day in Jakarta, with the participation of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Turkish President of Defence Industries Haluk Görgün, Indonesian Minister of Defense Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, Chairman of TUSAŞ Ömer Cihad Vardan, Deputy Minister of National Defense and Vice Chairman of the TUSAŞ Board of Directors Şuay Alpay, and TUSAŞ CEO Mehmet Demiroğlu. According to TUSAŞ, the agreement also includes significant technology-transfer components in the field of aviation, leveraging Indonesia's industrial infrastructure and production capacities for the KAAN program. This agreement marks the first export deal for the aircraft, which is still in the development stage. TUSAŞ aims to start delivering the plane for the Turkish Air Force in 2028. The prototypes of Kaan and the first batch of low initial production will be powered by a General Electric F110, an afterburning turbofan jet engine. The aim is to replace this engine with a Turkish one by 2032. Turkish engine manufacturer TUSAS Engine Industries Inc. (TEI) is developing the TF-35000 engine, specially designed for the KAAN fighter. The new turbofan engine will produce 35,000 lbf of thrust. Each aircraft will be equipped with two engines. Mr. Demiroğlu stated in a post on X that the KAAN aircraft to be delivered to Indonesia would be powered by indigenous Turkish engines. Speaking about the Indonesian project, Mr. Demiroğlu said that these deliveries would come later, hopefully in the 2030s. 'Our planned delivery schedule currently includes our own indigenous engine. Right now, we're talking about 48 aircraft. Of course, depending on what's included in the package, this number could change. We estimate the total will end up somewhere between 12 and 15 billion dollars,' he said.
