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Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) is accelerating efforts to integrate the domestically developed TF35000 turbofan engine into its fifth-generation KAAN fighter jet by 2032, company General Manager Dr. Mehmet Demiroglu announced during the Paris Air Show.
Speaking to Breaking Defense, Demiroglu confirmed that the conceptual design phase of the engine is nearly complete, with initial prototyping expected to begin within a year. "We’ve already started working on the TF35000 engine," he said.
The project is being developed jointly by Tusas Engine Industries (TEI) and TRMotor.
According to Demiroglu, early testing of the TF35000 is scheduled to begin in 2026, with full integration on KAAN targeted for 2032.
The engine is designed to deliver "high thrust with low fuel consumption and extended range," supported by Türkiye's domestic design, production, and testing ecosystem.
TEI states that the engine will feature advanced superalloys, high-temperature resistance, cutting-edge cooling technologies, and specialized coatings—all tailored to strengthen Türkiye’s strategy of eliminating foreign dependency in defense.
Flight testing of the KAAN aircraft began in 2024 with General Electric’s F110 engine.
Demiroglu explained that the flight test campaign will ramp up with the introduction of prototype aircraft: P1 is expected to fly in the first quarter of 2026, followed by P2 and P3 through 2027. In total, six aircraft will conduct thousands of flight hours.
"Weapons will of course be integrated," he noted, "but the first goal is to ensure that flight controls, aerodynamics, and the green aircraft configuration are validated."
Demiroglu also revealed that TAI is close to finalizing a deal with Indonesia to deliver 48 KAAN aircraft, valued at over $10 billion. He stated that the delivery timeline was being developed to include aircraft equipped with Türkiye's own TF35000 engine.
"If not this year, then early next year, we will hear something as big as Indonesia," Demiroglu added, signaling potential future export deals.
At a separate press briefing, TEI General Manager Mahmut Faruk Aksit confirmed that "KAAN’s indigenous engine will be ready before the Indonesia delivery." Meanwhile, the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB) head Haluk Gorgun noted, "KAAN will be delivered in 2028 and will be operational with the local engine in the 2030s."
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