Indonesia Seeks Role in Development of Turkish KAAN Fighter

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has expressed interest in joining the development of Turkey’s fifth-generation KAAN fighter jet and a new submarine program, according to Indonesian news agency Antara.

Speaking alongside President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan after a bilateral meeting at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, Prabowo stated that Indonesia was eager to collaborate with Turkish defense industry partners.

“Indonesia wants to participate in the development of the fifth-generation fighter KAAN and the development of a submarine together with Turkish industry,” he said, without providing details on the submarine project.

The two leaders also announced an agreement to establish a joint defense enterprise, though further information was not disclosed.

The venture will likely involve Turkey’s Baykar Technologies and Indonesia’s PT Republikorp and focus on the production of unmanned aerial vehicles.

Within the agreement, the Indonesian venture will produce, assemble, and maintain 60 Bayraktar TB3 medium-altitude reconnaissance and strike drones and nine Akinci high-altitude drones.

Baykar will transfer technology and expertise, while Republikorp will handle regulatory compliance, certification, and infrastructure development.

Indonesia is already involved in another fighter program—the KF-21, developed with South Korea—with a 20% participation share. Under that agreement, Indonesia committed to cover 20% of the total $5.2 billion development cost in exchange for two prototypes and domestic production capabilities.

However, Jakarta has repeatedly paused its contributions and, in February 2023, announced it would rejoin the program. Prabowo’s expression of interest in the Turkish fighter jet may signal a shift away from the South Korean project.

KAAN

The prototype of the Turkish KAAN fighter, classified domestically as a fifth-generation aircraft, made its maiden flight in February 2024.

Previously known as the MMU (Milli Muharip Uçak) or TF-X, it was officially named KAAN on May 1, 2023.

The aircraft is being developed in phases, with key weapons systems to be integrated into later prototypes. Turkish developers aim to build a combat jet with low radar visibility, high maneuverability, a modern electro-optical targeting system, and onboard radar.

Production of three Block prototypes is planned by the end of 2026, with a Block I prototype scheduled for completion by 2029.