Today, Monday, June 11, news emerged that Turkey and the Indonesian Air Force have signed an unprecedented export agreement in the history of the Turkish aerospace industry. The deal was signed during the INDO Defence 2025 exhibition held in Indonesia and involves the sale of 48 new fifth-generation KAAN fighter jets, currently under development by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAS).
Present at the signing were the President of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto; the President of Turkey’s Defense Industries, Haluk Görgün; the Indonesian Minister of Defense, Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin; the President of Turkish Aerospace, Ömer Cihad Vardan; the Deputy Minister of National Defense of Turkey and Vice President of Turkish Aerospace, Şuay Alpay; and the CEO of Turkish Aerospace, Mehmet Demiroğlu.
The agreement not only includes the delivery of 48 TAI KAAN fighter jets—scheduled over a 120-month period—but also encompasses the transfer of aviation technology to Indonesia. Through this strategic cooperation, Turkey and Indonesia aim to promote knowledge exchange and the development of local capabilities. Additionally, the agreement allows for the use of Indonesia’s domestic competencies in the production of the KAAN.
The initial announcement of the KAAN sale to Indonesia was made by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who stated:
“This agreement, which demonstrates the progress and current level of our national defense industry, will bring prosperity to both Turkey and Indonesia. I extend my greetings and thanks to my esteemed counterpart, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, in whose presence the agreement was signed. I also congratulate all the institutions involved in the production of KAAN and in this historic export agreement, especially the Presidency of Defense Industries and Turkish Aerospace.”
What is the TAI TF KAAN?
The KAAN represents the pinnacle of Turkish aeronautical engineering and serves as a multifunctional fifth-generation combat platform. Designed with high maneuverability, low radar signature, advanced avionics supported by artificial intelligence, and network-centric warfare capabilities, the KAAN positions itself among the most modern aircraft of its class.
It is designed to perform effectively in both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions and embodies Turkey’s strategic vision of achieving full autonomy in defense technologies. Its development aims not only to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers but also to position Turkey as a competitive player in the global advanced combat systems market.
The KAAN successfully completed its maiden flight on February 21, 2024, marking a turning point in the country’s military aviation. Its second flight took place on May 6, 2024, continuing a testing phase that aims for operational entry by 2028.
Indonesia’s Alternative Fighter Jet Options: A Path of Twists and Turns
Turkey’s KAAN was not Indonesia’s initial choice for a fifth-generation fighter. Initially, the Jakarta government opted to collaborate with South Korea on the development of the KF-21 Boramae, committing approximately USD 1.1 billion to the project. However, due to economic difficulties, Indonesia reduced its contribution to USD 408.9 million in 2022. Despite this adjustment, Jakarta has yet to ratify the new agreement terms, causing frustration among South Korean officials.
One of the most sensitive aspects of the project has been technology transfer. Indonesia insists on gaining access to key information in order to develop its own version of the aircraft, known as the IF-X. Trust between the two sides was further strained in February 2022 when Indonesian technicians were caught attempting to extract classified data using an unauthorized USB device.
Interestingly, despite these complications, Indonesia reaffirmed its commitment to co-developing the future aircraft in March of this year. For many, this renewed engagement breathes new life into a relationship that had stalled.
Meanwhile, Indonesia has explored other options. In August 2023, it signed a memorandum of understanding with Boeing for the possible purchase of 24 F-15EX fighter jets, in a deal estimated at up to USD 13.9 billion, according to the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency. The MoU was signed during then-Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto’s visit to Boeing’s facility in St. Louis and was seen as a significant step in strengthening defense cooperation between Indonesia and the United States.
However, the agreement is still awaiting approval from the Indonesian government and faces several challenges. Among them are recently imposed U.S. tariffs on Indonesian products, which could strain bilateral trade relations.
In an effort to secure the contract, Boeing made a surprising announcement: it would produce 85% of the F-15EX jets locally in Indonesia if the country confirms the purchase. This proposal was presented by Penny Burtt, President of Boeing Southeast Asia, during a press conference in Jakarta on April 15, 2025—marking a significant departure from traditional arms sales agreements.
Additionally, while the status of the KF-21 and F-15EX deals remains unclear, it has been reported that Indonesia is interested in acquiring another batch of Dassault Rafale fighters. While details are limited, various media outlets suggest the new batch could include 12 units. Though this acquisition has not been confirmed, it’s worth noting that Jakarta signed a deal in 2022 to purchase 42 Rafale fighters in the F4 variant—30 of them single-seaters and 12 two-seaters—with the last units ordered in early 2024.
Images of the aircraft are for illustrative purposes only.
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