Ankara (TDI): Turkiye has signed $10 billion defence agreement with Indonesia to export 48 of its domestically developed Kaan fighter jets over the next decade.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made the announcement on Wednesday, noting that the jets would be manufactured in Turkiye and delivered to Indonesia in phases.
“This agreement, signed with our friendly and brotherly nation Indonesia, includes the production of 48 Kaan fighter jets,” Erdogan said, calling it a milestone for Turkiye’s growing defence sector.
The Kaan aircraft, a fifth-generation stealth fighter designed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), took to the skies for the first time in February 2024.
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Initially powered by engines similar to those used in the F-16s, the aircraft is eventually expected to run on an engine developed entirely in Turkiye.
According to Turkish media, the contract not only covers the sale and delivery of the jets but also includes technology-sharing components.
Indonesian facilities and personnel would play a role in the production process, offering a boost to Indonesia’s defence manufacturing capacity.
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“This cooperation goes beyond a simple purchase, it’s a partnership that will strengthen both countries’ defence industries,” Erdogan added.
Defence exports of Turkiye have risen steadily over the years. The sector made $7.1 billion in revenue in 2024 alone, a hike of $1.6 billion from last year’s income, spurred by cutting-edge technology like Bayraktar drones and now the Kaan jet.
Farkhund Yousafzai is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
