Turkish fighter jet KAAN a component of Islamabad's long-term military planning
Turkish
Aerospace Industries’ (TAI) indigenous fighter jet, the KAAN, may soon play
a pivotal role in reshaping Pakistan’s aerial defense capabilities, analysts
say, highlighting the deepening strategic partnership between Ankara and
Islamabad.
While reports of a finalized multibillion-dollar
Pakistani acquisition remain unconfirmed, the longstanding collaboration
between the two countries suggests the KAAN stealth fighter is already a
component of Islamabad’s long-term military planning.
A Joint
Vision for Aerospace Self-Reliance
Türkiye recently signed a contract with TAI to deliver 20 KAAN jets to the Turkish Air Force between 2028 and 2030, intended to replace the aging F-16 fleet. Equipped with domestically developed engines, the initiative is part of Ankara’s broader push for aerospace autonomy.
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stealth jet factory to establish production facility in Pakistan
For Pakistan, the KAAN presents a potential
leap in strategic air power. Analysts note that Islamabad has been linked to
the program since its inception. In 2010, Ankara’s TF-X program—later renamed
KAAN—was launched with plans for joint production, reflecting Turkey and
Pakistan’s long history of defense cooperation.
Strengthening
Technological Independence
Defense collaboration between the two nations
has expanded over decades, encompassing drones, naval platforms, electronics,
training, and aerospace research. Both countries share a desire to reduce
dependence on Western suppliers, a policy reinforced in Türkiye after its
expulsion from the F-35 program and in Pakistan following variable U.S.
military engagement.
Past initiatives include Pakistan’s
co-production of the JF-17 fighter jet with China and joint development of
drone technology and MILGEM corvettes with Türkiye. At the 8th Pak-Turk
Industrial Expo in 2025, proposals for KAAN production partnerships were
reportedly discussed, with Turkish Defense Minister Yaşar Güler confirming that
Pakistan’s participation in development and production was nearly finalized.
A joint production facility in Pakistan could
lower unit costs for Ankara while significantly enhancing Islamabad’s aerial
capabilities and engineering expertise.
Building
Capabilities Together
TAI has engaged Pakistani academic and
research institutions, including the National University of Sciences and
Technology (NUST), in technology transfer and engineering collaboration for the
KAAN program.
Ahmet Khan, a defense expert based in Bursa, emphasized that Pakistan remains a primary partner in the project. “Once equipped with its engines, Pakistan will procure the fighter at partner-state pricing, with near-local manufacturing ensuring access to maintenance and spare parts,” he said.
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looking to assemble advanced combat drones in Pakistan
Khan added that deploying KAAN jets could
provide Pakistan with a strategic edge over India and Israel, stressing the
importance of indigenous engines to avoid export restrictions experienced in previous
projects. By 2035-2040, the Pakistan Air Force is expected to retire its
Mirage, F-16, and JF-17 fleets in favor of J-35s, KAAN, and the
fifth-generation PFX fighter.
Strategic
Significance in Regional Balance
Defense analyst Haider Hussain underscored
that Pakistan is not merely a buyer but a partner in KAAN’s development.
“Pakistan built JF-17s from kits; with KAAN, Pakistan builds the factory,” he
noted, highlighting the project’s potential to enhance industrial sovereignty.
The KAAN will feature internal weapon bays,
advanced AESA radar, and a low-observable design. According to Hussain,
Pakistan could integrate KAAN with its current fleet, using JF-17s for volume,
J-10Cs for air superiority, and KAAN for strategic stealth operations.
Historical
and Diplomatic Foundations
The Turkish-Pakistani defense partnership is
rooted in decades of political and cultural ties, from shared historical
connections to formal agreements dating back to the 1980s. Cooperation has
expanded across military modernization, including T129 ATAK helicopters, MILGEM
warships, and maintenance of F-16s, as well as energy sector collaborations.
Internationally, both nations have
consistently supported each other at the United Nations on issues ranging from
Kashmir to Northern Cyprus. Analysts say the partnership strengthens not only
military capabilities but also diplomatic leverage.
Ali Yavuz Selim, an international relations
analyst, noted, “Türkiye and Pakistan are sharing expertise, technology, and
industrial capacity. Strategically aligned, they could reshape regional power
dynamics and exert significant influence across the Middle East.”
The KAAN program, combining joint production, technology transfer, and fifth-generation capabilities, underscores the depth of the Turkish-Pakistani defense relationship and its potential to redefine air power in South Asia.
Source: https://www.turkiyetoday.com/