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Spain and Türkiye are engaged in early-stage government-to-government conversations about a possible acquisition of the Kaan fifth-generation fighter jet.
The talks include the prospect of significant technology transfer and Spanish industrial participation, according to a Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) source speaking to Spanish outlet El Espanol.
A TAI company source told El Espanol that the firm has official knowledge that the Spanish Air and Space Force has "the strategic intention and the requirement to acquire a fifth-generation fighter jet and associated drones."
Conversations regarding a possible Kaan sale to Spain are at "a very initial phase," the source acknowledged, adding that formal technical and political discussions between governments are planned once the Kaan program reaches further maturity.
The acquisition model under consideration mirrors the structure of Spain's existing Hurjet arrangement, known in Spain as Saeta II, which includes significant technology transfer and Spanish industrial integration.
"The Hurjet is only the first step and will be the trainer for Kaan in Spain," the TAI source told El Español.
Under this model, Spanish companies could "integrate their own systems into the Kaan, just as they do in the Hurjet," the source said, potentially shifting a meaningful share of manufacturing and development to domestic Spanish firms.
This would give Spain a level of operational sovereignty over the platform that F-35 operators lack.
The source indicated that 2027 was a key year in the process, with more substantive government-level discussions expected as Kaan development advances.
TAI plans to begin testing a second, more advanced batch of prototypes this year, with national propulsion already fitted to the planned prototype series. Delivery to the Turkish Air Force is currently targeted in the late 2028 to early 2029 window, approximately when Spain would also receive its first Hurjet aircraft.
Spain's interest also extends to associated drone systems, with the TAI source noting Madrid's appetite for unmanned platforms alongside any fighter acquisition.
El Espanol noted that the F-35, the only Western fifth-generation fighter currently available, does not offer technology transfer to partners, except to Israel.
All other F-35 operators are unable to integrate their own systems into the aircraft, and the platform requires services that only the United States can provide for full operational capability. In a scenario of diplomatic friction or wartime, this dependency could render aircraft inoperable.
By contrast, the Kaan model includes comprehensive technology transfer, enabling independent national operation and integration of domestic systems, a key Spanish priority.
The conversations align with comments made in November 2025 by TAI CEO Mehmet Demiroglu, who told El Español that "as a close partner in political, commercial and cultural spheres, Spain is, naturally, one of the countries with which possible collaboration can be conceived," adding that "ultimately the decision rests with President Erdogan."
Demiroglu described Kaan as an "evolutionary leap" integrating stealth, sensor fusion, high network connectivity, an internal weapons bay and supercruise capability.
Indonesia was officially the first country to express interest in Kaan outside Türkiye.
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