Southeast Asia’s rising power, Indonesia, is officially joining Turkey’s fifth-generation fighter jet project, KAAN. This strategic move is elevating defense cooperation between Ankara and Jakarta to a new level, drawing global attention to both nations.
On April 10, 2025, during a meeting in Ankara with President Erdoğan, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto stated, “We want to participate in the KAAN project. Likewise, we aim to benefit from Turkish defense industry expertise in our submarine program,” outlining the framework for the collaboration.
Subianto’s words, “Turkey is an inspiration for us. I truly admire Turkey,” reflect not only political ties but also the depth of technological and defense cooperation.
KAAN: Turkey’s Response, Indonesia’s Hope
Developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ), KAAN has positioned Turkey among the few countries capable of producing fifth-generation fighter jets. Designed to replace F-16s, the aircraft stands out with its stealth capabilities, AESA radar technology, internal weapons bay, and high maneuverability.
KAAN boasts:
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A maximum speed of Mach 1.8
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An operational radius of 600 nautical miles
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Advanced sensor fusion and integration with unmanned aerial vehicles
These features make KAAN an attractive option for regional powers in terms of both cost-performance and versatility.
Why Has Indonesia Turned to KAAN?
With a population of 270 million, a growing economy, and regional security concerns, Indonesia has made defense modernization a strategic priority. Increasing tensions in the South China Sea have further highlighted Jakarta’s need to revamp its air power.
Indonesia’s current fleet includes:
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U.S.-made F-16s
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Russian-made Su-27s and Su-30s
However, these jets fall short against next-generation platforms like China’s J-20. KAAN, with its more accessible cost, presents an ideal alternative for Indonesia in its pursuit of deterrence and strategic autonomy.
“Could Be an F-35 Alternative”
The American outlet Breaking Defense described KAAN as “a striking project that could fill the gaps left by the F-35 in the market,” while Bulgarian Military interpreted Indonesia’s involvement as a sign of Turkey’s growing influence in the global arms market.
After Turkey was removed from the F-35 program in 2019 due to its purchase of the S-400 air defense system, the development of KAAN accelerated—underscoring Ankara’s commitment to developing independent defense technologies.
More Than Just a Fighter Jet: A Strategic Partnership
The cooperation between Indonesia and Turkey goes beyond the KAAN project. In February 2025, agreements were signed between Subianto and Erdoğan for joint UAV production and expanded defense trade, further solidifying the foundation of this strategic partnership.
Although Turkey is a NATO member, its occasionally tense relations with the West make it an appealing alternative for countries that prefer not to align themselves with superpowers like the U.S. or Russia.
KAAN’s Global Impact
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United States: KAAN emerges as a potential alternative to the costly and export-restricted F-35 program, appealing especially to mid-sized nations.
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Russia: The Su-57 has struggled with technical issues and failed to gain widespread global adoption.
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China: The J-20’s large but opaque production process limits its export potential.
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Europe: Programs like France-Germany’s FCAS and the UK-Italy-Japan GCAP are still in their development stages.
