Turkey has signed a landmark deal to export 48 KAAN fighter jets to Indonesia, marking the first international sale of its domestically developed warplane.
 |
| Turkey's KAAN fighter jet secures its first international buyer as Indonesia signs a $10B deal to receive 48 aircraft, boosting regional defense collaboration. File Image: AA |
Ankara, Turkey — June 12, 2025:
Turkey will export 48 units of its domestically developed KAAN fighter jets to Indonesia in a landmark $10 billion agreement, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced on Wednesday. The deal, revealed during the Indo Defence 2025 exhibition in Jakarta, marks the first foreign sale of Turkey’s fifth-generation stealth combat aircraft.
President Erdoğan shared the news on X, stating that the jets would be manufactured in Turkey with Indonesia’s local technological input integrated into the production process. Though no official financial terms were confirmed by Ankara or Jakarta, Turkish and Indonesian media estimated the deal’s value at approximately $10 billion.
"This agreement showcases the growth and capability of our national defense industry," Erdoğan said, praising Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto for his leadership in securing the partnership.
The formal signing was witnessed by President Subianto, alongside Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and Turkish Defense Industry Secretary Haluk Görgün. The agreement is part of Indonesia’s broader push to modernize its military under Subianto, who has prioritized the acquisition of advanced submarines, frigates, and aerial defense systems since becoming defense minister in 2019.
“No nation wants war,” Subianto said during his address at the arms fair. “But history has shown that a country failing to invest in defense becomes vulnerable to foreign domination.”
The KAAN fighter jet, developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries, completed its maiden flight in 2024. Designed to rival global fifth-generation aircraft, it features stealth capabilities, powerful avionics, and advanced weapons systems. Deliveries to Turkey’s own air force are scheduled to begin in 2028.
Indonesia’s aging fleet of mixed-origin fighter jets—acquired from the U.S., Russia, and Britain—are due for replacement. The KAAN acquisition is a strategic move to upgrade the country’s aerial capabilities while enhancing domestic defense cooperation with Turkey.
The deal further cements growing ties between Ankara and Jakarta. Earlier in 2025, the two countries agreed to co-develop a Baykar drone manufacturing facility in Indonesia. Defense analysts also note that Pakistan and Azerbaijan have expressed interest in purchasing the KAAN jets, signaling Turkey’s emergence as a serious player in the global military aviation market.
With this export agreement, Turkey not only boosts its domestic aerospace industry but also strengthens its geopolitical footprint in Southeast Asia, aligning with Indonesia’s ambition to become a regional defense leader.