Indonesia confirms its commitment to Turkey for the purchase of 48 new fifth-generation TAI KAAN fighter jets

Within the framework of the international defense fair IDEF 2025, held in Istanbul, Turkey, the government of Indonesia formalized its decision to acquire 48 fifth-generation TAI KAAN fighter jets through the signing of the official contract that seals the largest defense export agreement in the history of the Turkish aerospace industry.

The signing ceremony, held on Saturday, July 26, 2025, was attended by Indonesia’s Minister of Defense, Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, and was the continuation of the intergovernmental (G2G) agreement signed weeks earlier, on June 11, during the Indo Defence 2025 fair. With this signing, Jakarta not only reaffirms its commitment to Ankara, but also consolidates a strategic relationship that goes beyond a simple arms transaction.

The contract stipulates the delivery of the 48 KAAN aircraft within a period of 120 months, and includes an ambitious program of technology transfer and development of industrial capabilities on Indonesian territory. This cooperation will allow the establishment of a local production base, strengthening Indonesia’s technological independence in defense matters.

The TAI KAAN fighter jet, developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries, represents the spearhead of Turkish military engineering. It is a fifth-generation multirole aircraft, equipped with network-centric warfare capabilities, artificial intelligence, high maneuverability, and low radar signature, making it a highly competitive combat platform on a global scale.

From Ankara, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had already spoken in mid-June about the agreement as “a demonstration of the level reached by the national defense industry,” while from Jakarta the potential of the project to promote self-sufficiency and technological development of the Asian country was highlighted. “Cooperation with Turkey strengthens our industry and consolidates a relationship based on friendship and mutual benefit,” stated Minister Sjamsoeddin during the event.

This move by Indonesia also marks a strategic shift regarding its participation in the South Korean KF-21 Boramae program. In mid-June, Jakarta announced a significant reduction of its financial contribution to said project, limiting its involvement to 437 million dollars —less than half of what was originally committed in 2016— which raised doubts about its continued participation in that initiative.

In contrast, the firm commitment to the KAAN fighter jet sends a clear message: Indonesia seeks to diversify its sources of military supply, strengthen its local industry, and establish lasting partnerships with countries willing to share critical capabilities. Turkey, in that sense, has managed to position itself as a reliable and technologically competitive partner in an increasingly dynamic geopolitical scenario.

*Images obtained from the Ministry of Defense of Indonesia and Turkish Aerospace Industries

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