Production of the Second Prototype of the KAAN Fighter Jet Has Begun in Turkey

The frame of the second prototype of the national Turkish fighter KAAN was spotted in the workshop of the Turkish Aerospace Industries aircraft plant during a visit by a delegation from the Turkish Armed Forces Strengthening Foundation.

The Aviationist reported on this.

The published photo shows the bare power frame of the second prototype without panels, vertical stabilizers, and nose fairing. According to the plan, the construction of the aircraft is scheduled to be completed in 2026.

As noted in the publication, there are no significant differences in the airframe; however, it can be observed that the nose of the second prototype appears wider. The air intake also appears to be higher and is positioned slightly closer to the cockpit light.

Please note that this is a very early stage of production, with only the power frame and load-bearing units assembled. The aircraft has not yet received any internal mechanical, electrical, electronic components, or wiring.

TurDef claims that the third prototype is also in production, but no public images have been released yet.

“Compared to the first prototype, the second has a more mature design, as it will be used in more advanced stages of testing along with the third prototype, which will be available soon,” TurDef said in its article.

Flight tests of the second and third prototypes are scheduled to begin in the spring of 2026, approximately two years after the first flight of KAAN.

The second prototype is scheduled to begin ground testing and make its maiden flight in April 2026, and the third is expected to take off by July 2026.

KAAN

Turkish developers are tasked with designing a combat aircraft that exhibits low radar visibility and high maneuverability. It will be equipped with a modern optoelectronic localization system and an onboard radar.

The aircraft made its first flight in February 2024. The development is being carried out in stages so that key weapon systems will be installed only on later prototypes.

The first 20 KAAN Block 10 aircraft are to be delivered to the Turkish Air Force by 2028. Initially, the fighter will be powered by two General Electric F-110-GE129 engines, which are also used on Turkish F-16C Block 50s. In the future, TAI plans to replace them with domestic engines.

Despite the incomplete development, in July 2025, Turkey signed the first export agreement for the supply of 48 KAAN fighters to Indonesia.