Dr. Mehmet Demiroğlu, General Manager of Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ), was the first guest of SAHA Istanbul in 2026, where he assessed the latest status of the most critical projects in the Turkish defense industry. Providing striking information on a wide range of topics, from the flight schedule of the new prototypes of the National Combat Aircraft KAAN, to the 2032 target for the domestically produced TF-35000 engine, from the mass production of ANKA-3 to the export of HÜRJET to Spain, Demiroğlu announced that TUSAŞ has begun work not only on 5th generation but also on 6th generation fighter aircraft technologies.
TUSAŞ, the heart of Türkiye's aviation ecosystem, is accelerating its efforts in projects guided by its "Turkish Century" vision. Having closed 2025 with a record export success of $10 billion, the Turkish defense industry is entering 2026 with tangible results from its mega-projects. TUSAŞ General Manager Dr. Mehmet Demiroğlu, in a program he attended, shared the latest developments in projects including the National Combat Aircraft KAAN, HÜRJET, ANKA-3, ATAK-2, and the T-925 general-purpose helicopter, from the most authoritative source.
KAAN: Not Just TUSAŞ's, but Türkiye's "Crown" Project
The most important topic of the interview was KAAN, Türkiye's largest technology project. Demiroğlu described KAAN not only as TUSAŞ's project but also as Türkiye's "Crown" project, emphasizing that this project is much more than just aircraft production; it represents the "construction of an ecosystem.".
Providing information about KAAN's current status, Demiroğlu stated that the prototype that made its first flight is currently being used in engineering tests (ground tests, system tests). However, the most exciting development concerned the status of the new prototypes on the production line. Demiroğlu stated that the construction of KAAN's 2nd and 3rd prototypes is ongoing and announced the following critical timeline:
“I can confidently say that we will see KAAN’s first prototype (the newly produced flight prototype) flying by June, perhaps even May. The second prototype will follow immediately after. We plan to put the third prototype into testing at the end of this year or the beginning of 2027.’
Demiroğlu stated that the 2-3 month delays in the KAAN project were perfectly normal when compared to the processes of global projects like the F-35, and that there was no cause for concern.
Target Date for Domestic Engine TF-35000: 2032
KAAN's engine stands out as the most anticipated and challenging component of the project. Demiroğlu, a mechanical engineer who has dedicated a large part of his career to engine technologies, emphasized that engine development is the pinnacle of engineering. Recalling that current F110 engines are based on 1970s technology, Demiroğlu stated that KAAN needs a unique and high-performance engine like the TF-35000 to achieve "Super Cruise" (exceeding the speed of sound without using afterburners).
Demiroğlu spoke clearly about the timeline for the domestic engine, “"We aim for this engine to be completed and halfway integrated by 2032."’ he said. According to this timeline, pre-production of the engine is expected to begin and testing processes to be completed in 2031.
Demiroğlu stated that KAAN's first production batch of 20 to 40 units (Block 10 and Block 20) will be produced with the currently used American F110 engines, adding that this strategy has been planned from the beginning of the project and there has been no deviation.
Mass Production and 2028 Target Revision
Making a realistic assessment of the publicly known 2028 target regarding KAAN's mass production schedule, Demiroğlu stated that most of the targets set during the tenure of the previous General Manager, Temel Kotil, have been met, but there is a high probability that the end-of-2028 delivery target will be pushed back to 2029.
“"By 2029, we will have passed the mass production stage and started deliveries."” Demiroğlu added that they expect to receive an official order for 20 KAAN drones from the Turkish Air Force soon.
The Indonesia Agreement is Not a “MoU”
Demiroğlu also mentioned the success of exporting an aircraft that had not yet entered the inventory, emphasizing that the agreement with Indonesia was not a "Letter of Intent" (MoU) but an official "Framework Agreement." Stating that this massive $15 billion deal would be implemented in phases, Demiroğlu explained that Indonesia had requested a package including domestically produced engines and technology transfer, and therefore agreed to wait along with Turkey. This was described as the most concrete demonstration of global confidence in the Turkish defense industry.
6th Generation Fighter Aircraft and the “MUM-T” Concept
While KAAN is designed as a 5th generation aircraft, the interview revealed that TUSAŞ has already begun working on 6th generation technologies. Demiroğlu stated that they are focusing on the “Manned-Unmanned Teaming” (MUM-T) concept, which is similar to the concepts used between HÜRJET and ANKA-3, and between KAAN and KIZILELMA.
Demiroğlu stated that KAAN Block-10 would not have 6th generation features when it enters the inventory, but with the integration of the domestic engine (approximately 6 years later), TUSAŞ would be ready for 6th generation technologies. “"Even if we don't define the 6th generation alone, we will be one of those who do."” Demiroğlu stated that Türkiye will become a country that sets the rules in aviation, not just follows them.
HÜRJET: Spain Exports and Mass Production Speed
Türkiye's first manned jet aircraft, HÜRJET, has opened its doors to Europe with a sale to the Spanish Air Force. Demiroğlu explained the strategic reasons behind Spain's choice of HÜRJET over Boeing T-7, Leonardo M-346, and South Korea's T-50 aircraft. He stated that Spain was impressed by HÜRJET's performance and Türkiye's commitment to on-time flight and delivery, and emphasized that the good relations between President Erdoğan and Spanish Prime Minister Sanchez also played a role in the sale.
Announcing that serial production of HÜRJET has begun, Demiroğlu shared the information that 12 aircraft plus 4 prototype aircraft are currently being produced for the Turkish Air Force. Demiroğlu also stated that they aim to increase the production rate from 1-2 aircraft per month to 3 aircraft per month. Furthermore, he shared the information that some components of the aircraft will be assembled in Kayseri, giving the good news that production will spread to Anatolia.
ANKA-3: "Ghost" Surveillance Enters Mass Production
ANKA-3, the tailless "stealth" aircraft and the newest and most strategic member of TUSAŞ's unmanned aerial vehicle family, is progressing at a surprising pace. Demiroğlu announced that the final design (Critical Design Review – CDR) of ANKA-3 was frozen two months ago and production has begun.
Demiroğlu stated that two more prototypes will be produced this year, and that mass production efforts are being carried out according to the efficiency principles of the automotive sector. He said they expect an order of over 50 units from the Turkish Air Force, and that concept studies are also being conducted for a twin-engine version of the ANKA-3, but the current priority is the mass production of the single-engine version. He added that despite the war conditions, the supply of engines from Ukraine continues without problems, and that TEI's TF-6000 engine can be used if needed.
Helicopter Projects: T-925 Moved Forward, ATAK-2 on Hold
Demiroğlu also touched upon the strategic changes in helicopter projects, explaining that the T-925 project was brought forward due to the urgency of the need for a general-purpose helicopter, while the ATAK-2 heavy-class attack helicopter project was "put on hold" for a while.
Demiroğlu, noting that the lifespan of Türkiye's general-purpose helicopters (such as the S-70 Blackhawk) will end in the 2030-2040 period and that their number has decreased due to export license problems in the T-70 project, stated that the T-925 will fill this gap. Announcing that the T-925 will make its first flight this year, Demiroğlu also stated that a version of the helicopter capable of dropping 4 tons of water for the General Directorate of Forestry will be delivered in 2028.
ATAK-2 ve T-925 projelerinin %60 oranında ortak parçalara (motor, transmisyon, paller vb.) sahip olacağını belirten Demiroğlu, bu stratejinin bakım ve işletme maliyetlerini düşüreceğini ifade etti.
The Future of TUSAŞ: The Supermarket of Aviation
Demiroğlu, describing TUSAŞ as the "Supermarket of Aviation," stated that the company has transformed into a giant structure producing products in every field, from helicopters and airplanes to UAVs and satellites. He explained that they have invested particularly in optical systems (mirrors, lenses) for observation satellites with 30 cm resolution in the space sector, and predicted that TUSAŞ will become a global giant exceeding $10 billion in revenue by the 2030s.
SAHA EXPO Surprise
Demiroğlu also gave a hint about the upcoming SAHA EXPO fair. He stated that at least two new platforms, resulting from needs analysis, will be introduced as a surprise at the fair, but refrained from giving further details.
