Turkiye's Minister of National Defense Guler: Agreement with Pakistan for KAAN is about to be signed

[dBSPL]

Yaşar Güler, Minister of National Defense, announced that the agreement for Pakistan's participation in the KAAN National Combat Aircraft Program is about to be signed.

In a statement made by Minister Güler, he said, "They exclude us from F-35. This encouraged us to build our own aircraft. In a way, they did us a favor. We are also producing KAAN. Friendly and brotherly countries are also making efforts to become partners in this project. An agreement has been signed with Azerbaijan, another one is about to be signed with Pakistan, and there are other countries. They will also come."

(photo: Cem Doğut)

A critical decision was taken by Azerbaijan for the KAAN Fighter Jet, which recently started ground tests. In line with the decision taken, Turkiye and Azerbaijan signed a cooperation agreement for the development of the National Combat Aircraft KAAN.

The 'National Combat Aircraft Development Cooperation Signing Ceremony' was held during IDEF'23. The agreement was signed between the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense and TAI.

MMU KAAN's Detailed Program Schedule
The date of fulfillment of the initial conditions of the National Fighter Aircraft KAAN, called T0, is 2018.

Within the scope of Phase-1 Part-1, the preliminary design activities of KAAN were carried out between 2018-2022.

As part of Phase-1 Part-2, detailed design and qualification activities of the MMU KAAN will be carried out between 2022 and 2029. Accordingly, KAAN left the hangar in 2023. Until 2026, it is aimed to produce three prototypes.

The development activities of the Block-10 configuration, which will be delivered to the Turkish Air Force, are expected to be completed by 2029.

The 10 TF-X Block-10 fighter jets to be produced under Phase-2 will be delivered to the Turkish Air Force between 2030 and 2033. However, this date announced by the Turkish Air Force was revised as 2028 by TAI.

Within the scope of Phase-3 between 2034-2040, the development and serial production activities of other TF-X blocks will be carried out.

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- The scheduled maiden flight date for Prototype-1 is December 27, 2023

- Malaysia and Indonesia are being speculated as the fourth partner, but there is no official announcement yet. Another noteworthy issue is that in recent months, defense industry, national security, bilateral trade and renewable energy investment agreements with the UAE, Qatar and KSA with a total value of more than $70 billion have been signed. The Gulf region is not far from the project.

- The MMU program is positioning itself as a 'third way' of the emerging Muslim countries in the middle of the two military superpowers.

- The KAAN (Khan) partnership can play a driving role in creating a lasting and strategic bond of trust in the Muslim world that has been sought for decades but never realized, which could be a historic step towards changing the geopolitical paradigm in much of the world.

 

[_NOBODY_]

@Bilal Khan (Quwa) @JamD @SQ8

 

[FuturePAF]

I hope Air Marshall Shahid Lateef, the initial program manager of the JF-17 gets to be present at the signing and gets to see firsthand the fruits of his and his team’s efforts have allowed Pakistan to enter into. (He literally broke his back trying to get the JF-17 project off the ground).

Btw, while work on the Turkish engine will be a major factor, perhaps Pakistan’s operation of the Chinese WS-10B on the J-10CP will make it an option for the Jet, if politics require. Or at least a technical partner, also if politics require. Pakistan has operated a variant of the F16 with its F-110 engine (for 4 decades now) also being used on the TuAF F-16s and the initial engine on the KAAN. A good position as a technical partner in the project.

 

[dBSPL]

Pakistan has not only an established engineering force, but also experienced people scattered in many parts of the world, in the world's major aerospace companies. A project of this scale can have important functions in terms of reverse brain drain in related engineering fields and, equally importantly, stopping the erosion of the trained workforce. (such as its impact in TR) The MMU program is not just about the fifth generation KAAN jet. It is a vision that encompasses the entire combatant operational doctrine of the Air Force and consists of many sub-areas of work.

 

[TheSolution]

@dBSPL any idea about the nature of this deal and the extent of collaboration?

 

[aziqbal]

if Pakistan does anything it has to join the Kaan project

this is the best timing and it would be amazing if we can get it

we cannot rely one everything Chinese we need this bird

and I would go step further

all Islamic countries should join this project and pour billions into this project and help Turkey speed up the development

that sets into a motion a series of events which leads to the coalition islamic powers inshallah

a bit like the F35 we have KAAN!

 

[Hakikat ve Hikmet]

Btw, while work on the Turkish engine will be a major factor, perhaps Pakistan’s operation of the Chinese WS-10B on the J-10CP will make it an option for the yet if politics require. Or at least a technical partner, also if politics require. Pakistan has operated a variant of the F-110 engine (for 4 decades now) also being used on the TuAF F-16s and the initial engine on the KAAN. A good position as a technical parent in the project.

Why not WS-15, albeit an "export" version?

 

[Sinnerman108]

What does Pakistan bring to the table that Turkey already doesn't have ?

I am surprised young boys jumping up and down ... for what ?

 

[arslank03]

What does Pakistan bring to the table that Turkey already doesn't have ?

I am surprised young boys jumping up and down ... for what ?

ironically, money, alongside personnel, cheap labour, some technical expertise and most importantly Firm orders.

 

[TheSolution]

Are the Saudis going to join?

They put down a lot of money for Akinci drones, Saudi could be a huge source of funds...

 

[arslank03]

Are the Saudis going to join?

They put down a lot of money for Akinci drones, Saudi could be a huge source of funds...

saudis sent a req to the british to join Tempest, however, itll probably get declined, at which point i can see them joining us. If the Indians were smart, theyd push for KSA to join AMCA by offering them HUUUUGE benefits and significant workshare

 

[dBSPL]

@dBSPL any idea about the nature of this deal and the extent of collaboration?

Details will be announced soon. However, the fact that secure communication protocols are being established between institutions indicates that it will be a comprehensive work sharing rather than a sub-contract. I have written my personal opinion many times before. The programme can be taken to a common denominator according to the expectations of both air forces and other potential participants who will have technology development level cooperation. Or, Pakistan can proceed with its own fully specialised variant with its own needs. However, common infrastructure and risk sharing will provide all participating countries with a completely independent multiplier outside the traditional eastern or western logistics system, and it is this process of political independence that I constantly underline. Fully independent air force = Fully independent foreign policy.

 

[Goritoes]

saudis sent a req to the british to join Tempest, however, itll probably get declined, at which point i can see them joining us. If the Indians were smart, theyd push for KSA to join AMCA by offering them HUUUUGE benefits and significant workshare

Already denied KSA request to join Tempest program.

 

[arslank03]

Already denied KSA request to join Tempest program.

nope, it was submitted 2 days ago and lobbied for by the UK, some opposition from japan but strong british lobbying so we shall see

 

[Cookie Monster]

What does Pakistan bring to the table that Turkey already doesn't have ?

I am surprised young boys jumping up and down ... for what ?

Nothing of value much since Turkey is far ahead compared to Pakistan in this regard. However Pakistan could've contributed money(as a partner) initially when the project started, which would've reduced some of the financial risks for Turkey. In return of sharing the financial risks...Pakistan could've benefitted from some limited work share and tech transfer.
...but as per other members here Pakistan squandered that opportunity by trying their own separate project Azm NGF(which went nowhere) rather than joining the Turks as a joint venture.

...still it's better late than never I guess...and more sales for Turkey.