Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ) showcased its capabilities in the defence industry at the 55th Paris Air Show. At the fair, several indigenous platforms were introduced, including the KAAN fifth-generation fighter jet, the Gökbey helicopter, the Hürkuş trainer aircraft, the Hürjet jet trainer, and the Aksungur unmanned aerial vehicle.
TUSAŞ General Manager Mehmet Demiroğlu evaluated the company’s export vision and new partnerships. Emphasising that negotiations are ongoing with several countries, particularly Indonesia, for the KAAN fighter jet, Demiroğlu noted that Turkey is emerging as a strong global player in the defence industry.
Historic Agreement with Indonesia: Export of 48 KAAN Jets
As announced by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on 11 June, work is ongoing within the scope of a defence agreement that foresees the export of 48 KAAN fighter jets to Indonesia. Regarding this process, Demiroğlu said, “We visited Indonesia in May and signed a memorandum of understanding at Indo Defense Expo 2025. This is not just a goodwill document; it is a strategic agreement that includes production quantity, delivery model, and technical framework.”
Strong Interest from Europe: Hürjet Headed to Spain
TUSAŞ’s Hürjet platform is also attracting attention in Europe. With Spain’s selection of the Hürjet, a Turkish-made jet trainer will be used in a NATO country outside Turkey for the first time. This development shows that Turkey can play an important role in Europe’s increasing defence investments.
Production Target: 500 Aircraft, 350 Helicopters
According to Demiroğlu, TUSAŞ aims to produce a total of 500 KAAN, Hürjet, and Hürkuş aircraft by 2034, along with more than 350 Gökbey, Atak, and Atak-2 helicopters. The company plans to fly at least three KAAN prototypes within 2025. The second prototype is expected to take flight by the end of the year, and the third in early 2026.
Growth in New Markets and $12 Billion Revenue Target
TUSAŞ plans to increase its $3 billion revenue in 2024 to $4.3 billion in 2025. The long-term goal is to reach $12 billion in revenue by 2034. In this context, the company continues its international growth with infrastructure and product diversity that can meet both domestic demands and those of NATO allies.
Demiroğlu stated, “Turkey is becoming a strategic supply centre that not only meets its own defence needs but also responds to the demands of its allies.”
Expanding Collaborations in Europe
TUSAŞ is now applying the experience it gained from past projects with leading European aerospace companies such as Airbus and Leonardo (Italy) to new-generation platforms. The company emphasises that it has both the technical expertise and production capacity to meet Europe’s platform needs.
