ISLAMABAD: In a landmark expansion of the decades-old strategic partnershipbetween Turkey and Pakistan, Ankara has formally decided to includeIslamabad in its ambitious national fifth-generation fighter aircraftprogramme, known as TF KAAN, while simultaneously establishing a majordrone manufacturing and assembly facility on Pakistani soil, according to adetailed report published by Bloomberg.
The invitation to join the KAAN project, previously restricted to Turkishindustry and select British partners through BAE Systems, marks the firsttime a Muslim-majority nation outside NATO has been offered another Muslimcountry full partnership in a cutting-edge stealth fighter programme.Senior Turkish officials confirmed that Pakistan Aerospace Complex and theNational Development Complex will participate in airframe componentproduction, avionics integration, and future upgrades of the twin-enginesupersonic aircraft, which is designed to replace Turkey’s ageing F-16fleet and compete directly with the American F-35.
The agreement extends beyond manned aircraft. Turkey’s leading defenceconglomerate, Baykar, and Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) will jointlyestablish a state-of-the-art unmanned combat aerial vehicle productionplant in Pakistan, capable of assembling the advanced Kizilelma jet-powereddrone and the next-generation Akinci-B platform. The facility, expected tobe operational by late 2027, will serve both countries’ armed forces andtarget lucrative export markets across the Middle East, Central Asia, andAfrica.
Analysts describe the move as a calculated step by President Recep TayyipErdoğan to transform Turkey’s burgeoning defence industry into a globalplayer status while strengthening the “iron brotherhood” with Pakistan. Thejoint ventures are projected to generate thousands of high-technology jobsin Pakistan and significantly reduce Islamabad’s historical dependence onChinese and American platforms. Turkish defence exports have surged fromunder $250 million in 2005 to more than $5.5 billion in 2024, and Pakistaniinvolvement is seen as critical for penetrating markets where Turkey facespolitical restrictions.
The timing coincides with growing frustration in Islamabad over delays inthe American F-16 sustainment package and restrictions on technologytransfer, pushing Pakistan to diversify its sources of advanced weaponry.Military observers note that co-production of the KAAN will give thePakistan Air Force a pathway to indigenous fifth-generation capability farsooner than its own Project AZM could achieve alone.
Defence cooperation between the two nations already includes jointproduction of the MILGEM-class corvettes for the Pakistan Navy andextensive collaboration on missile and electronic warfare systems. Thelatest agreements, finalised during quiet diplomatic exchanges in Octoberare expected to be formally announced during President Erdoğan’s upcomingvisit to Pakistan in early 2026.
The deepening axis has raised concerns in New Delhi and Washington, withsome Western analysts warning of proliferation risks surrounding stealthtechnology. Turkish officials have dismissed such criticism, emphasisingthat the partnership remains fully compliant with international obligationsand is driven purely by mutual strategic interests.
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Source:https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-11-28/turkey-seeks-pakistan-partnership-for-fighter-jet-drone-push
Source: https://www.tai.com.tr/en/project/tfx-kaan
Tags: Turkey, Pakistan, KAAN, Baykar
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