Turkey’s Defense Industries Agency (SSB) has unveiled new images of the nearly finished second prototype of its indigenous Kaan fighter jet, showcasing several design updates and upcoming flight plans. The aircraft, designated P1, was displayed alongside the earlier prototype P0 and a ground test vehicle, ahead of its expected maiden flight scheduled for May or June 2026.
The P1 model appears externally complete, with unpainted surfaces and several panels around the lower vertical stabilizer yet to be installed. It is equipped with two General Electric F110 engines, and modifications include repositioned and enlarged air intakes, as well as advanced infrared and electro-optical targeting systems. The aircraft’s design evolution suggests possible reconfiguration of the main landing gear to improve stability, although confirmation is pending.
Turkish Aerospace Industries CEO Mehmet Demiroglu highlighted the progress during the World Defense Show 2026 in Riyadh. Despite setbacks in securing additional Saudi Arabian investment, the company remains optimistic about future collaboration and emphasizes continued domestic development, including the progress toward an indigenous powerplant named TF35000, which is expected to be operational in the 2030s.
The Turkish Air Force plans to replace its fleet of F-16 fighters with a dozen or more of the new twin-engine aircraft by the end of the decade, signaling a significant indigenous defense achievement. Most components are sourced domestically, with key elements such as ejection seats and engines imported until local alternatives are available. The program underscores Turkey’s expanding technological capabilities in aerospace manufacturing.
