Latest news with #TurkishAerospaceIndustries
Miami Herald
29-05-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
NATO Ally Gains Ground With Stealth Jet Rivaling U.S.
Turkey's first homegrown fifth-generation fighter plane, KAAN, from Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), is generating increased global attention and buying interest, according to defense publications. Newsweek has reached out to Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) for comment. Turkey's exclusion from the F-35 program in 2019 over its purchase of Russian S-400s accelerated its drive for strategic autonomy and potential competition with the U.S.-made F-35 and F-22. Turkey is already becoming an increasingly important exporter of drones. Turkey's rising role, led by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, an ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, could change global defense dynamics. Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, and Indonesia have shown interest in the KAAN fighter jet program, Mehmet Demiroglu, CEO of Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) said this week, according to the Bulgarian Military News. He added that the agreement phase has been reached with some countries, according to the Defense Mirror. According to TAI's website, KAAN achieves air superiority with long-range strikes, internal weapons, supersonic speed, and artificial intelligence enhanced combat power. It performed its maiden flight in February 2024. Demiroglu announced earlier this year that both Saudi Arabia and the UAE have shown interest in the KAAN fighter jet project. While Saudi Arabia may be looking to acquire 100 jets, the UAE's interest lies in the program itself, with potential for joint platform development, according to Forbes. The UAE's planned purchase of U.S.-made F-35s-following the signing of the Abraham Accords-was cancelled due to concerns about the UAE's military ties with China under the Biden administration. A recent report by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) also noted that the UAE has been a major recipient of Chinese arms exports. Saudi Arabia, still distant from normalizing ties with Israel, signed $142 billion arms during Trump's recent visit, but uncertainty over F-35s is driving it to seek alternatives to American defense reliance. "This shift is driven by complex political dynamics, especially with US restrictions on the sale of advanced fighters such as the F-35 and Washington's prioritization of maintaining Israel's qualitative military edge," Ali Bakir, nonresident senior fellow with the Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative at the Atlantic Council's Middle East programs, wrote in January. Although Trump's Gulf allies have recently secured more arms deals, the U.S. is not viewed as the sole supplier. Arms restrictions have pushed other traditional U.S. allies such as Egypt, which borders Israel, to look to China for advanced fighter jets. Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) CEO Mehmet, as quoted by the Defense Mirror: "Saudi Arabia has been interested for a long time, their interest is at the highest level right now. the Indonesian side is also doing well." Turkey's new fighter aircraft aims at replacing the Turkish Air Force's aging F-16s starting in the 2030s. Related Articles Beach Clubs Offering First-Class Service, Food and ViewsTurkey's Erdogan Has Become One of World's Most Powerful Men-And Trump AllyNATO Issues Warning About Defense Spending Amid Threats from Russia, ChinaTrump: I'd Still Go to Turkey for Russia-Ukraine Talks if Appropriate 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
29-05-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
NATO Ally Gains Ground With Stealth Jet Rivaling U.S.
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Turkey's first homegrown fifth-generation fighter plane, KAAN, from Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), is generating increased global attention and buying interest, according to defense publications. Newsweek has reached out to Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) for comment. Why It Matters Turkey's exclusion from the F-35 program in 2019 over its purchase of Russian S-400s accelerated its drive for strategic autonomy and potential competition with the U.S.-made F-35 and F-22. Turkey is already becoming an increasingly important exporter of drones. Turkey's rising role, led by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, an ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, could change global defense dynamics. Presentation ceremony of the National Combat Aircraft KAAN on May 1, 2023 in Ankara, Türkiye. Presentation ceremony of the National Combat Aircraft KAAN on May 1, 2023 in Ankara, Türkiye. Yavuz Ozden/What To Know Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, and Indonesia have shown interest in the KAAN fighter jet program, Mehmet Demiroglu, CEO of Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) said this week, according to the Bulgarian Military News. He added that the agreement phase has been reached with some countries, according to the Defense Mirror. According to TAI's website, KAAN achieves air superiority with long-range strikes, internal weapons, supersonic speed, and artificial intelligence enhanced combat power. It performed its maiden flight in February 2024. KAAN (King of Kings), Türkiye's 5th generation stealth fighter jet, taking off for its maiden flight earlier today. — Clash Report (@clashreport) February 21, 2024 Demiroglu announced earlier this year that both Saudi Arabia and the UAE have shown interest in the KAAN fighter jet project. While Saudi Arabia may be looking to acquire 100 jets, the UAE's interest lies in the program itself, with potential for joint platform development, according to Forbes. U.S. Curbs Alienate Allies The UAE's planned purchase of U.S.-made F-35s—following the signing of the Abraham Accords—was cancelled due to concerns about the UAE's military ties with China under the Biden administration. A recent report by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) also noted that the UAE has been a major recipient of Chinese arms exports. Saudi Arabia, still distant from normalizing ties with Israel, signed $142 billion arms during Trump's recent visit, but uncertainty over F-35s is driving it to seek alternatives to American defense reliance. "This shift is driven by complex political dynamics, especially with US restrictions on the sale of advanced fighters such as the F-35 and Washington's prioritization of maintaining Israel's qualitative military edge," Ali Bakir, nonresident senior fellow with the Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative at the Atlantic Council's Middle East programs, wrote in January. Although Trump's Gulf allies have recently secured more arms deals, the U.S. is not viewed as the sole supplier. Arms restrictions have pushed other traditional U.S. allies such as Egypt, which borders Israel, to look to China for advanced fighter jets. What People Are Saying Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) CEO Mehmet, as quoted by the Defense Mirror: "Saudi Arabia has been interested for a long time, their interest is at the highest level right now. the Indonesian side is also doing well." What Happens Next Turkey's new fighter aircraft aims at replacing the Turkish Air Force's aging F-16s starting in the 2030s.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
TUSAŞ and Airbus team up on jet trainer pitch for Spanish Air Force
ISTANBUL — Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Airbus and a group of 15 Spanish companies – 'Team Spain' – to explore cooperation on Spain's future jet trainer program. The agreement, signed during the Feindef defense exhibition in Madrid, focuses on developing a new Integrated Training System (ITS-C) that will eventually replace the Spanish Air Force's 19 F-5M training aircraft which have been in service for 53 years. The partnership aims to combine Airbus's experience in aircraft design, production and training with TUSAŞ's Hürjet. The Hürjet is a twin-seat, supersonic jet trainer designed to prepare pilots for advanced fighter aircraft and could become a key element in Spain's future training system. The agreement builds on a previous pact between TUSAŞ and Airbus and now includes Spanish industrial players. It also seeks to deepen defense ties between Turkey and Spain while contributing to the modernization of Spain's military pilot training infrastructure. Hürjet, currently in development by TUSAŞ, is designed to reach speeds of up to Mach 1.4. It includes advanced onboard and ground-based training systems and is scheduled to enter service with the Turkish Air Force in 2026. Lt. Gen. Miguel Ivorra Ruiz, who oversees defense-industry planning at the Spanish Ministry of Defense, emphasized the broader significance of the agreement. He described it as 'a step towards a solid, strategic and innovative industrial cooperation,' saying it would position Spanish companies at the center of an internationally scoped initiative.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Vendor vows to hasten Turkey's fifth-generation ‘Kaan' fighter plane
ISTANBUL — Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ) is working to expand flight testing and accelerate prototype production of the Kaan aircraft. The company says it now aims to deliver the first aircraft to the Turkish Air Force by the end of 2028. Speaking on the sidelines of the Teknofest aerospace and technology festival in an interview with Turkey's public broadcaster TRT, TUSAŞ CEO Mustafa Demiroğlu provided an update on the project's progress. According to Demiroğlu, assembly of the second and third prototypes is underway, with four aircraft planned in total for the test campaign – three to be used for flight trials and one for ground testing. 'The second prototype will be completed early next year and begin flight testing,' Demiroğlu said. 'We've now ignited the afterburner on the first aircraft. We are awaiting its third flight – perhaps in August or before October. But it's still too early to confirm.' 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. Demiroğlu noted that the second prototype will incorporate design revisions based on lessons learned from the first aircraft, including external shaping and internal structural improvements. 'The second prototype will look slightly different from the outside – particularly around the air inlets – but the overall size remains the same,' Demiroğlu explained. 'Internally, we've made weight and balance optimizations.' Known initially as TF-X, the Kaan program is Turkey's most ambitious aerospace project. Designed to replace the Turkish Air Force's aging fleet of F-4E Phantoms and eventually its F-16s, Kaan is intended to match the performance and survivability of other fifth-generation platforms. Key features of the fighter plane include low radar cross-section shaping, internal weapons bays, supercruise capability, and a domestically developed avionics suite. The aircraft's first prototype completed its maiden flight in February 2024. Currently, Kaan is the only fighter project in Europe boasting a fifth-generation label with a flying prototype. Demiroğlu emphasized that the Kaan will eventually be produced at scale to meet the operational needs of the Turkish Air Force. 'We aim to begin deliveries by the end of 2028,' he said. 'Kaan is a national project that we are developing with Turkish engineers and technicians, for the future security and independence of our country.'
Broadcast Pro
23-04-2025
- Science
- Broadcast Pro
Türkiye commissions first domestically produced communication satellite
The new geostationary communication satellite will provide emergency communication services, especially television broadcasting, in a wide coverage area. Türkiye has officially placed its first domestically produced communication satellite, Türksat 6A, into service during a ceremony on April 21, attended by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The president described the event as a significant milestone in the country's push to develop space technologies independently, emphasising that Türksat 6A represents a breakthrough in reducing reliance on foreign sources. The satellite was launched into orbit on July 9, 2024, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida. After months of testing, all technical assessments have been successfully completed, allowing the satellite to commence operations. Speaking at the inauguration held at Türksat's Gölbaşı Campus in Ankara, Erdoğan praised the smooth execution of the project and expressed hope that Türksat 6A will serve the nation well. With Türksat 6A now operational, the number of communication satellites managed by Türksat rises to six, while the total number of Turkish satellites in orbit reaches 10. The satellite, which is expected to function for at least 15 years, will provide broad communication services including television broadcasting and emergency communications across an extensive coverage area. Erdoğan highlighted that the satellite was developed with more than 80% domestic components, placing Türkiye among only 11 nations globally capable of producing their own communications satellites. He emphasised that Türksat 6A is the result of two decades of intensive research and development aimed at fostering self-reliance in advanced technologies. The new satellite significantly expands the global reach of Türkiyes satellite services, increasing population coverage from 3.5bn to 5bn. Erdoğan noted that this success opens the door for the creation of a national satellite brand and the establishment of a domestic space company. He also underlined the collaborative nature of the project, which engaged a wide network of local stakeholders and subcontractors, including Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), Aselsan and TÜB?TAK. The initiative helped nurture a skilled workforce, with engineers and technicians playing key roles throughout the design, production and testing phases. The president added that Türkiye's strengthened export capacity and international competitiveness in satellite equipment mark a turning point for the nation's space ambitions. The commissioning of Türksat 6A aligns with Türkiye's broader National Space Programme. Industry and Technology Minister Mehmet Fatih Kac?r hailed the development on social media, affirming that the achievement underscores the country's growing expertise and independence in space technology. Türksat 6A reached its designated orbit by December 2024 and successfully completed its initial broadcast tests by February, signalling its readiness for full operational deployment.
