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Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) General Manager Mehmet Demiroglu announced plans to sign the Hurjet procurement agreement with Spain by October 2025 and revealed that two KAAN fighter prototypes will begin flight testing in April 2026 during an interview at the 17th International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF 2025).
Speaking at the Anadolu Agency Technology Desk on Friday, Demiroglu outlined significant milestones for Türkiye's major aerospace programs, including helicopter production timelines and export prospects.
Demiroglu emphasized the strategic importance of the Hurjet-Airbus partnership agreement signed at IDEF 2025, describing it as a framework for collaboration on the advanced training aircraft project.
"The signature we made at IDEF 2025 was a signature that outlined the framework of how we will work with Airbus on this project (Hurjet)," Demiroglu said. "We plan to sign the Hurjet procurement agreement in September or at the latest in October."
The Hurjet project began with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's handshake with the Spanish prime minister in 2024, leading to extensive collaboration between defense officials from both countries.
"Today, we are confident that we will see the point we have reached in Spain very soon with other NATO countries, friendly and allied countries," Demiroglu stated.
Demiroglu outlined Hurjet's potential in the international training aircraft market, noting discussions with countries planning to replace their training fleets in the 2030s.
"Hurjet is a candidate platform to be the training aircraft not only of Spain and Türkiye, but also of other NATO countries," he said. "At the same time, it is a candidate platform to be both a training and attack aircraft in relatively smaller air forces."
With approximately 3 tons of ammunition capacity compared to F-16's 6 tons, Hurjet offers cost-effective operations for specific mission profiles.
Demiroglu highlighted a significant shift in Türkiye's defense industry relationships, noting that TAI previously served as a major subcontractor for Airbus commercial aircraft programs for approximately 20 years.
"Previously, we used to try to localize the platforms we bought. Now, thanks Allah, the localization of our platforms is being discussed," he explained. "The roles have changed."
Under the new arrangement, TAI serves as the main player in the Hurjet collaboration, with Airbus coordinating Spanish industry participation in localizing certain components for delivery to the Spanish Air Force.
Demiroglu announced major progress in the KAAN national combat aircraft program, revealing that three prototypes are currently in the production line.
"One of them will be used as a static aircraft in ground tests, and two of them will hopefully be flying from April next year onwards," he stated.
The executive indicated that phase 1 production preparations have been completed, hinting at potential announcements during the defense exhibition.
"We have completed all our work to start Phase 1 in KAAN production. I don't want to say anything now, but I can say expect surprises," Demiroglu said.
Demiroglu later detailed Indonesia's commitment to the KAAN program following Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto's recent visit to Türkiye. Subianto, formerly Indonesia's Defense Minister, expressed strong interest in participating in the fighter program.
"He even set a goal, saying at Indo Defence, 'we will sign this.' We were really surprised, we weren't expecting such speed," Demiroglu recalled. "But we saw he was serious and we signed the main contract. He said, 'You will deliver it with Turkish engine.'"
The partnership significantly expands TAI's responsibilities, with commitments to deliver aircraft to the Turkish Air Force from 2028 with interim engines and with indigenous engines from 2032-2033, now extended to include Indonesian requirements.
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Demiroglu revealed that the T-925 helicopter, the largest product showcased at IDEF 2025, is being prepared specifically for forest fire suppression operations under the General Directorate of Forestry.
"The T-925 helicopter is being prepared for use in firefighting activities at the General Directorate of Forestry. It will make its first flight in 2026," he announced.
The helicopter features a 4-ton water-dropping capacity and can accommodate 19 people. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in the second half of 2028, with eight helicopters planned for delivery during 2028 and 2029.
"This is important for us because it's a heavy-class helicopter. It's a helicopter that meets not only the needs of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, but also the requirements of many users, including the Turkish Armed Forces, gendarmerie, police and coast guard," Demiroglu explained.
The TAI chief announced that an export contract for the Gokbey helicopter will be signed within one to three months, marking a significant milestone for Turkish helicopter exports.
"We will have signed the export contract for Gokbey within 1 to 3 months," Demiroglu confirmed. "To deliver Gokbey to customers safely and with peace of mind with the domestic engine, it needs to go through a serious testing phase."
The indigenous engine has reached the stage where it can be installed and tested on the helicopter, with domestic engine deliveries targeted for late 2027 to early 2028.
"The majority of 57 helicopters will be powered by domestic engines. We targeted this for the end of 2027 and the beginning of 2028," he stated.
Demiroglu also announced progress on TAI's vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial vehicle, capable of carrying 5-10 kilograms of payload.
"We are also displaying the VTOL UAV at IDEF 2025. Flight tests are continuing and we aim to start serial production very soon," he said.
The VTOL development emerged from lessons learned during ANKA III's vertical tail design challenges, with TAI conducting successful flights on smaller platforms before scaling up capabilities.
Addressing engine independence, Demiroglu highlighted progress on the 3,000-horsepower engine project at Turkish Engine Industries (TEI) for the T-925 helicopter.
"Everything except the engine is ours. The 3,000-horsepower engine project was also started at TEI. Hopefully, at the beginning of the 2030s, we will offer users a helicopter that we can say is entirely our own," he stated.
He emphasized the strategic importance of engine production capabilities, comparing it to transmission manufacturing and describing it as proof of both company and national competence.
Demiroglu noted unprecedented interest in TAI's IDEF 2025 exhibition stand, attributing the attention to growing domestic defense industry capabilities and increasing international interest.
"I don't remember the TAI stand being this crowded at any fair. This shows that both our defense industry is growing domestically and the interest from abroad continues to increase and will continue," he observed.
The executive emphasized continued commitment to production despite challenges, referencing the October 2023 terrorist attack on TAI facilities that resulted in five fatalities.
"We will continue to work. We will work much more in spite of the traitors," he concluded, echoing words from a colleague following the PKK's terrorist attack on TAI's Kahramankazan, Ankara facilities.
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