The program's first export customer is Indonesia, which signed a deal for 48 KAAN jets valued at approximately $10 billion. The package includes technology transfer, training, and potential future joint production. Gal highlighted that strong interest from Indonesia and other countries reinforces Türkiye's position in defense exports.
Simultaneously, Türkiye is pursuing Eurofighter Typhoon acquisitions, negotiating with Qatar and Oman for Typhoon jets, pushing for F-16 Block 70 deliveries, and seeking to rejoin the F-35 program. Gal argued that Ankara is "playing a multilayered game," using options strategically to influence regional air power balance.
Gal stressed that the KAAN program will never be canceled. He compared such a move to Israel's strategic setback in the 1980s when the Lavi fighter jet project was halted, stating that Ankara would never accept a similar strategic retreat. He concluded: "Türkiye will not cancel KAAN. This project is as much an ideological and strategic symbol as it is a technical one," underscoring that KAAN represents prestige and independence for Türkiye, beyond its role as a defense project.
