ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Turkey have taken a decisive step towards deepeningtheir longstanding defence cooperation through the establishment of a jointproduction facility for the advanced KAAN fifth-generation stealth fighterjet. This initiative, finalized during high-level discussions in early2025, represents a major milestone in bilateral military ties and positionsboth nations to achieve greater technological independence in aerospacemanufacturing. The agreement emerges amid Turkey’s push to export itsindigenous fighter and Pakistan’s urgent need to modernize its air forcefleet facing obsolescence challenges.
The KAAN project, spearheaded by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI),originated as Turkey’s national effort to develop a stealth aircraftcapable of replacing its ageing F-16 fighters following exclusion from theAmerican F-35 programme in 2019. The twin-engine jet incorporatescutting-edge features including low radar cross-section design, supercruisecapability, internal weapons bays, and advanced avionics systems designedto rival global fifth-generation platforms. The first prototype achievedits maiden flight in February 2024, with subsequent prototypes underproduction and full operational capability targeted for the early 2030s.
Discussions between the two countries intensified over the past year and ahalf, culminating in concrete plans at the 8th Pak-Turkish Industrial Expoheld in Pakistan in January 2025. Representatives from 32 institutions fromboth sides participated in these talks, finalizing the framework for jointmanufacturing. Turkish Defence Minister Yaşar Güler confirmed that anagreement for Pakistan’s official participation in the KAAN project wasnearing completion, highlighting the mutual benefits of shared productioncosts and expanded export potential for Turkey while providing Islamabadaccess to high-end technology transfer.
The joint factory will enable localized production of the KAAN, potentiallyincluding subsystems manufactured in Pakistan and a variant tailored toPakistan Air Force requirements. This collaboration is expected to reduceoverall programme expenses through economies of scale and lower labourcosts in Pakistan. Furthermore, it will facilitate training for Pakistaniengineers and technicians, building domestic expertise in advancedaerospace engineering and contributing to long-term industrial developmentin the country.
Strategic implications of this pact extend beyond bilateral relations, asit diversifies Pakistan’s defence procurement sources amid reliance onChinese platforms such as the JF-17 and potential acquisitions like theJ-35. The initiative aligns with Turkey’s broader strategy to position theKAAN as an export-oriented platform, attracting interest from other nationsincluding Azerbaijan, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia. For Pakistan,integrating the KAAN into its fleet would enhance deterrence capabilitiesin a complex regional security environment characterized by evolvingthreats and the need for stealth technology superiority.
Experts note that the partnership could lead to further joint ventures inrelated fields such as drones, air defence systems, and communicationtechnologies. With around 200 Pakistani personnel already involved in theKAAN development in Turkey, the foundation for seamless technologyintegration appears solid. The facility’s operational timeline is linked tothe KAAN’s maturation schedule, with initial serial production expected inthe late 2020s and deliveries potentially commencing in the early 2030s.
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This defence accord underscores the growing convergence of interestsbetween Pakistan and Turkey in pursuing self-reliant military capabilitiesfree from external restrictions. As global defence markets shift towardsindigenous solutions, the joint KAAN production facility symbolizes a newera of cooperation among like-minded nations committed to technologicalsovereignty and strategic autonomy.
Source:https://www.armyrecognition.com/news/army-news/2025/tuerkiye-and-pakistan-establish-joint-factory-for-production-of-kaan-fighter-jet
Tags: Pakistan, Turkey, KAAN fighter, Turkish Aerospace Industries,fifth-generation jetogimageimage-name
