TAI General Manager Dr. Mehmet Demiroğlu delivered a striking message regarding the national combat aircraft KAAN during his speech at the "6th Generation with the Young Generation" programme held at Kastamonu University. Demiroğlu stated: "We will do it. KAAN is such a powerful aircraft that when it emerges, no one will remain on the scene. Then let anyone who would mess with me think twice. We are building it so that they say, 'If this KAAN emerges, everything will be thrown into chaos, so let's not mess with these people.' We will use it if necessary."
"We Do Not Want to Use KAAN; We Are Building It So We Don't Have To"
Demiroğlu also clearly summarised the deterrence strategy in the defence industry: "We are not striving to fight. We must strive not to fight. We do not want to use KAAN. They ask, 'Then why are you building it?' We are building it so that we don't have to use it." This approach sets out Türkiye's fundamental motivation in the defence industry: preventing conflict through deterrence.
KAAN Will Fly This Year
Providing information on the status of the KAAN project, Demiroğlu stated: "KAAN is in good shape — I could even say it kisses your hands. God willing, we will fly KAAN this year. I can say that KAAN is currently the most domestic project we are carrying out in the field of aviation in Türkiye."
"We Are Surrounded by a Ring of Fire"
Addressing the risks of the geography Türkiye inhabits, Demiroğlu emphasised that being strong is a necessity. "To our right, our left, above, below — we are surrounded by a ring of fire on every side. If I can give this conference comfortably, if you can study comfortably in your schools, if you can go home or to your dormitories at night and sleep without anxiety, then you must be strong. We have no other option in this geography," he said.
TAI Campus: A Breadth of Production Unmatched in the World
Demiroğlu drew attention to the diversity of work carried out at the TAI campus. "On this campus, the 5th Generation KAAN is currently being produced, designed and tested. The advanced trainer aircraft HÜRJET was designed, produced, and is now moving into serial production. The ATAK and GÖKBEY are being produced. ANKA, AKSUNGUR, ANKA-3, ŞİMŞEK, SÜPER ŞİMŞEK — all the same. TÜRKSAT-6A, İMECE, GÖKTÜRK, communications satellites, surveillance satellites — all of them can be designed, produced and tested at these facilities," said Demiroğlu, adding: "You cannot find such a facility anywhere in the world."
Spain Plans to Buy 15 More HÜRJET Aircraft
Demiroğlu also shared important information regarding HÜRJET's export performance. "Before we had even begun deliveries to the Air Force, Spain said, 'I like it, I want to buy 30,' and bought them. We signed. We are working towards deliveries in 2028. They are planning to buy another 15," said Demiroğlu, demonstrating the growing international market interest in HÜRJET.
Note
If you have any photos or video footage to support our news story, please share them with us using the information provided on our contact us page.
