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Spain is reportedly considering acquiring Türkiye’s domestically developed fifth-generation KAAN fighter jet after deciding against purchasing U.S.-made F-35 stealth aircraft, according to a report by the Eurasian Times.
The report said Madrid’s decision came amid growing unease across several countries involved in the F-35 program—including Canada, Portugal, and Switzerland—due to escalating costs, software delays, a series of recent mishaps, and concerns over Washington’s control of the jet’s source code.
The United States’ shifting foreign policy under President Donald Trump, coupled with new tariffs and reversals over Ukraine, has led European nations to reduce reliance on U.S. defense systems and instead focus on European-made alternatives through the “Rearm Europe” initiative.
Spain’s government allocated €6.25 billion (about $7.24 billion) in its 2023 budget for new fighter aircraft. At the time, Madrid said it would choose between the Eurofighter Typhoon and the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), a next-generation fighter jointly developed by France, Germany and Spain.
“The Spanish option consists of the current Eurofighter and the FCAS in the future,” the Defense Ministry said in a previous statement.
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Türkiye’s KAAN, developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), successfully completed its maiden flight in February 2024. Initially powered by the same type of engines used in F-16s, the aircraft is slated to be equipped with an indigenous Turkish engine in later production phases.
The twin-engine stealth fighter is designed to replace Türkiye’s aging F-16 fleet and position Ankara as one of a handful of nations capable of producing fifth-generation fighter jets.
Türkiye’s defense industry recorded export revenues of $7.1 billion in 2024, up $1.6 billion from the previous year, underscoring the sector’s rapid growth and international appeal.
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