Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ) seals export agreement with Indonesia for KAAN battle tank production
The Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ) has announced a significant defense export deal, set to strengthen ties between Turkey and Indonesia. The agreement, signed during the International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF 2025) in Istanbul, involves the export and local production of 48 KAAN fifth-generation fighter jets to Indonesian defense firms PT Republik Aero Dirgantara and PT Dirgantara Indonesia.
This landmark deal, valued around $10 billion, marks the largest defense export for Türkiye. The contract covers the procurement, local assembly, and long-term industrial cooperation for the KAAN fighter jets, including comprehensive cooperation in engineering, manufacturing, technology transfer, and joint technology development.
A significant component of the agreement is the establishment of a local aerospace industrial base in Indonesia. This infrastructure will enable domestic assembly and maintenance, reflecting strategic depth in bilateral relations and Indonesia’s commitment to self-reliant modernization.
The 48 aircraft are scheduled to be delivered over a 10-year phased period, with collaborative engineering support and industrial participation by Indonesian companies throughout the process. The KAAN fighter, featuring advanced avionics, AESA radar, internal weapons bays, and artificial intelligence for multirole air combat, is expected to fly with prototypes sporting enhancements such as aerial refueling systems in 2026, with serial production targeted to begin in 2028.
The engines for the KAAN jets will be produced domestically in Türkiye. The agreement is viewed as strategic both industrially and geopolitically, signaling Türkiye’s entry into the global fighter jet market and deepening defense ties with Indonesia. The deal was endorsed by top officials from both countries, including TUSAŞ and Indonesian defense leadership.
The 17th IDEF, running from July 22 to 27, spans multiple locations, including the Istanbul Fair Center, Atatürk Airport, WOW Istanbul Hotel Congress Center, and Ataköy Marina. The fair provides a platform for showcasing the latest advancements in the defense industry, fostering international cooperation, and promoting technological innovation.
In summary, the agreement commits TUSAŞ, PT Republik Aero Dirgantara, and PT Dirgantara Indonesia to a collaborative, decade-long project encompassing the export, local assembly, engineering cooperation, and technology transfer of 48 advanced KAAN fighter jets to Indonesia. This deal is set to bolster ties between Turkey and Indonesia through joint capabilities, marking a significant step forward in the global defense industry.
- The deal between Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ) and Indonesian defense firms PT Republik Aero Dirgantara and PT Dirgantara Indonesia, worth around $10 billion, will lead to the establishment of a local aerospace industrial base in Indonesia, which will enable domestic assembly and maintenance of the KAAN fighter jets.
- The partnership within this agreement, encompassing the export, local assembly, engineering cooperation, and technology transfer of 48 advanced KAAN fighter jets, is expected to strengthen industrial ties between Turkey and Indonesia, signifying Turkey's entry into the global aerospace industry and Indonesia's commitment to self-reliant modernization.
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