The brand new Kaan prototype has been noticed throughout meeting a yr after the maiden flight of the primary instance, and is about to fly in 2026.
The second prototype of Turkey’s Kaan fifth technology fighter is now in manufacturing, with the panels, vertical stabilizers and the nostril cone lacking on the naked skeletal airframe on the meeting line. Recognized as P1, the brand new plane was noticed in an official {photograph} launched by the Turkish Armed Forces Basis on Sep. 26, 2025, throughout the giant delegation’s go to to the services of TUSAŞ/TAI (Turkish Aerospace Industries).
The delegation is standing within the foreground in entrance of the primary flying prototype, the P0, whereas P1 is within the background. Elements of P1’s aspect fuselage and the part across the engine consumption and the wing meeting are obscured by P1’s port-side vertical stabilizer. Stories mentioned the plane is predicted to be accomplished in 2026 in preparation for a maiden flight the identical yr.
38. Kuruluş Yıl Dönümümüzde TUSAŞ Kahramankazan Merkez Yerleşkesi’ni ziyaret ettik. 🇹🇷✈️
TUSAŞ Genel Müdürü Sayın Dr. Mehmet Demiroğlu’nun ev sahipliğinde, Vakfımızın tüm personeliyle yerli ve milli savunma sanayiimizin önemli tesislerinden olan TUSAŞ’ı ziyaret ettik.
KAAN,… pic.twitter.com/p8k8xoCFtg
— TSKGüçlendirme Vakfı (@tsk_gv) September 26, 2025
A number of Turkish protection profiles shared comparative collages of photographs of P0 whereas within the manufacturing stage and the present P1 to identify any design alterations. Any vital variations are usually not discernible, given the semi-obscured place of P1 behind P0. The P1 airframe can be lined by scaffoldings, so it turns into troublesome to find out what classes TAI engineers might have learnt from P0’s improvement and assessments.
KAAN’ın 2. Prototipi, Türk Silahlı Kuvvetlerini Güçlendirme Vakfı TUSAŞ ziyaretinde ilk kez görüntülendi. pic.twitter.com/vydH2tzF8t
— Turkish Defence Company (@tdefenceagency) September 26, 2025
Design variations
We are able to nonetheless observe from one cut up picture shared by ‘Avionot’ that the P1’s nostril part seems to be wider. The engine consumption additionally seems to be taller, overshooting the chine line on the fuselage, and somewhat nearer to the cover.
Let’s not overlook it is a very early manufacturing stage with solely the skeletal airframe and the structural assemblies being constructed. The plane is but to obtain any of the interior mechanical, electrical, digital parts and wiring.
The manufacturing of P1 might have begun solely earlier this yr, and will have additionally integrated classes from the trials of the Kizilelma and the Anka 3 UCAVs, which can be anticipated to fly alongside Kaan as loyal wingmen CCAs (Collaborative Fight Plane).
İşte KAAN’ın ilk prototipi ve ikinci prototipi arasındaki farklar. pic.twitter.com/caXTuLxniN
— Avionot (@avionot) September 26, 2025
Testing schedule
TurDef claimed {that a} third prototype, P2, can be underneath building. We’re nevertheless but to return throughout any picture of this instance.
“In comparison with the primary prototype, the second prototype has a extra mature design as it is going to be used within the extra superior phases of testing alongside the third prototype, which is not going to be far off by way of arrival date,” TurDef talked about in its report. “The P1 and P2 prototypes are scheduled to begin their flight assessments within the 2026 spring which is about two years after the maiden flight.”
Laying out the timeline, Tolgaozbek mentioned that P1 is scheduled to start floor testing and make its maiden flight in April 2026, beside additionally mentioning P2 being slated to fly by July 2026. Apparently, the report additionally quoted TAI normal supervisor Mehmet Demiroğlu’s interplay with the publication within the latest version of TEKNOFEST in Istanbul, the place he mentioned they aren’t planning a 3rd flight for the P0. “All focus stays on P1,” Demiroğlu mentioned.
The Kaan, which goals to switch Turkey’s 240-strong F-16 fleet by the 2030s, was first unveiled in 2019, rolled out in March 2023 and flew for the primary time again in February 2024. Particulars concerning the Kaan’s specs are restricted, however it’s anticipated it is going to be in a position to obtain a prime velocity of Mach 1.8 and a service ceiling of 55,000 toes. Different efficiency parameters haven’t been disclosed to date, nevertheless the plane is thought to have a most takeoff weight (MTOW) of 60,000 lb.
So far as I can see from the picture, evidently the air intakes might have been moved again on the P1 prototype in comparison with P0. We can see the precise particulars when P1 is launched pic.twitter.com/6DCahX1bJ3
— TR_tech (@T_Nblty) September 26, 2025
The primary 20 KAAN Block 10 jets are scheduled for supply to the Turkish Air Drive by 2028. The jet will initially be powered by two Normal Electrical F-110-GE129 engines, which additionally energy Turkish F-16Cs Block 50, delivering 58,000 kilos of thrust. TAI plans to switch these with indigenous engines, that are being developed with a supercruise functionality, sooner or later .
Turkish push for F-35s
The emergence of the second Kaan prototype additionally got here as U.S. President Donald Trump incentivized Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to be readmitted again into the F-35A program, in return for ending the acquisition of Russian oil, throughout the latter’s go to on Sep. 25.
NEW: Turkish Protection Minister Güler:
We at present have six F-35 jets in america.
Now that they see we’ve got developed the KAAN, their stance has shifted, and so they’re expressing willingness to ship them.
We’ve got resubmitted our proposal to amass the F-35s. pic.twitter.com/nPySKEI9TA
— Conflict Report (@clashreport) November 26, 2024
Trump mentioned he “believes Turkey will comply with his request to cease buying Russian oil and that he might raise U.S. sanctions on Ankara so it will probably purchase superior American F-35 jets,” reported Reuters. Trump had eliminated Turkey from the F-35 program in his first time period in 2020 in retaliation to Ankara’s acquisition of the Russian S-400 air protection system, which many imagine could make the F-35 susceptible.
Turkey has been lobbying to be given its F-35As, six of that are at present saved within the U.S. Protection minister Yaşar Güler instructed the Planning and Funds Committee of the Turkish Grand Nationwide Meeting in November 2024 concerning the renewed efforts with the U.S. in the direction of that finish.
A piece amongst Turkey’s protection and strategic neighborhood believes that progress with the Kaan would possibly change Washington’s calculations, since an indigenous fifth-generation jet threatens to cut back the dependence on U.S. weapons.
