KAAN Fighter Jet Awaits US Approval For F110 Engines
The KAAN fighter jet program is nearing a key milestone as Türkiye expects the United States to approve exports of the F110 GE 129E turbofan engine for early production aircraft.
According to Turkish Aerospace Industries, approval for the U.S.-made engines could come in February or March 2026. The engines will power the first serial production batches of the KAAN Block 10 and Block 20 aircraft.
TUSAŞ General Manager Mehmet Demiroğlu said the company does not anticipate delays in the engine approval process, citing ongoing coordination between U.S. and Turkish officials.
Ten Engines Already In Hand
Demiroğlu confirmed that TUSAŞ already holds ten F110 engines. These are sufficient for prototype aircraft currently in development.
He stated that the company has faced no issues in the development phase related to propulsion. The existing engines support flight testing and system integration as the KAAN fighter jet moves through its early operational evaluation cycle.
The F110 GE 129E engine is produced by GE Aerospace and is widely used in advanced fourth generation fighters, including variants of the F 16. The engine provides high thrust output suitable for twin engine configurations such as KAAN.
Final Approval Stage Underway
TUSAŞ is now in what Demiroğlu described as the final stage of U.S. export approval. The authorization would allow the F110 engines to be installed in the first batch of KAAN Block 10 and Block 20 aircraft intended for operational service.
Based on discussions with both governments, TUSAŞ expects no disruption in deliveries. Approval could be issued within weeks.
The export decision follows established U.S. defense trade procedures. Such transfers require clearance under U.S. export control regulations and coordination between industry and government authorities.
First Delivery Set For 2029
The first KAAN fighter jet delivery to the Turkish Air Force is scheduled for early 2029.
Block 10 and Block 20 aircraft will rely on the F110 engine as an interim propulsion solution. These early blocks are expected to focus on core air dominance capabilities while additional systems mature.
The KAAN program represents Türkiye’s effort to field a domestically developed fifth generation fighter aircraft. The platform is designed to incorporate stealth shaping, advanced sensors, network centric warfare features, and internal weapons carriage.
The aircraft conducted its maiden flight in 2024, marking a significant milestone in Türkiye’s military aviation ambitions.
Transition To A National Engine By 2033
While early production models will use U.S. engines, TUSAŞ plans to equip the KAAN Block 30 aircraft with an indigenous powerplant.
Demiroğlu said the first test of the national engine is targeted for 2032, with final delivery planned for 2033. This shift would reduce reliance on foreign propulsion systems and strengthen domestic aerospace capabilities.
Engine development is a complex and resource intensive effort. It involves advanced materials, turbine blade technology, and high temperature performance engineering. Few nations maintain the industrial base required for fifth generation fighter engines.
Türkiye has been investing heavily in defense industrial self sufficiency over the past decade, particularly in aerospace, unmanned systems, and missile technology.
Strategic Context
The KAAN fighter jet plays a central role in Türkiye’s long term air power strategy. The program gained additional urgency aFter Ankara’s removal from the F 35 program in 2019.
Since then, Turkish defense planners have emphasized indigenous development across air, naval, and land systems.
The F110 export approval would signal continued defense industrial cooperation between Washington and Ankara, despite periodic political tensions.
The engine decision also carries operational significance. Without timely approval, serial production timelines could face adjustments. However, TUSAŞ leadership has publicly stated that current indicators point toward a smooth authorization process.
Program Outlook
With prototypes flying and engine supplies secured for testing, the KAAN fighter jet remains on track for initial operational delivery at the end of the decade.
Upcoming milestones include expanded flight testing, avionics integration, weapons certification, and low rate initial production planning.
As the program advances, propulsion remains a key focus area. The transition from the F110 engine to a domestically produced alternative will mark a critical phase in Türkiye’s effort to field a fully sovereign fifth generation combat aircraft.
For now, industry officials appear confident that U.S. approval for the F110 GE 129E engines will arrive within the expected timeframe.
HGK 84 Precision Guidance Kits Delivered to Turkish Air Force
Turkey has delivered the first 2026 production batch of HGK 84 Precision Guidance Kits to the Turkish Air Force, marking another step in Ankara’s long running effort to expand indigenous smart munition capabilities. The delivery was completed under a contract between the Ministry of National Defence and state owned defense firm ASFAT, with development support from TUBITAK SAGE.
The kits have entered service with the Turkish Air Force, often referred to domestically as the Steel Eagles of the Sky, and are intended to enhance the accuracy and operational flexibility of existing Mk 84 general purpose bombs.
HGK 84 Program Overview and Role
The HGK 84 Precision Guidance Kit is a GPS and INS based guidance package designed to convert standard 2,000 pound Mk 84 unguided bombs into all weather precision guided weapons. Developed by TUBITAK SAGE, the system has been in Turkish service for more than a decade and continues to receive incremental improvements.
By using satellite aided navigation, the HGK 84 allows Turkish Air Force aircraft to conduct precision strikes without relying on laser designation, which can be degraded by weather, smoke, or battlefield obscurants. This capability is especially relevant for deep strike, fixed target suppression, and strategic infrastructure missions.
The HGK family includes multiple variants, with the HGK 84 tailored specifically for the Mk 84 bomb class, offering extended stand off release profiles when deployed from higher altitudes.
2026 Delivery Under ASFAT Contract
According to the Ministry of National Defence, the newly delivered HGK 84 Precision Guidance Kits represent the first batch produced and handed over in 2026 under an ongoing production agreement with ASFAT. ASFAT is responsible for program coordination, production oversight, and delivery to the Turkish Armed Forces.
The contract reflects Turkey’s broader policy of sustaining domestic production lines for critical air delivered munitions, ensuring continuity of supply without dependence on foreign vendors or export approvals.
Officials emphasized that production was carried out in cooperation with TUBITAK SAGE, which remains the design authority and technical backbone of the HGK program.
Integration With Turkish Air Force Platforms
The HGK 84 Precision Guidance Kit is compatible with several Turkish Air Force aircraft types, including the F 16 Fighting Falcon fleet that forms the backbone of Turkey’s combat aviation force.
Integration with national mission computers and software allows the weapon to be employed using indigenous targeting data, mission planning tools, and command and control systems. This alignment supports Turkey’s push for platform independence and full sovereign control over strike capabilities.
The system has previously been demonstrated in live fire exercises and operational deployments, showing circular error probable values measured in only a few meters under test conditions.
Strategic Importance for Turkey’s Airpower
The continued delivery of HGK 84 kits highlights Turkey’s emphasis on cost effective modernization rather than wholesale replacement of legacy weapons. By upgrading existing bomb stocks with guidance kits, the Turkish Air Force can significantly expand its precision strike inventory at a fraction of the cost of new build smart munitions.
This approach also aligns with NATO operational concepts, where precision engagement and reduced collateral damage are central requirements for modern air operations.
From a geopolitical standpoint, maintaining an independent precision munition production capability gives Turkey operational resilience during periods of political tension, export restrictions, or supply chain disruption.
Turkey’s Broader Smart Munition Ecosystem
The HGK 84 is part of a wider Turkish smart weapons portfolio developed by TUBITAK SAGE and other national firms. This portfolio includes laser guided kits, stand off glide bombs, bunker penetration weapons, and air launched cruise missiles.
Together, these systems support Turkey’s goal of becoming a self sufficient airpower producer, capable of sustaining high tempo operations without reliance on external suppliers.
Defense analysts note that continued serial deliveries such as the 2026 HGK 84 batch signal program maturity rather than experimental development, reinforcing confidence in domestic production quality and lifecycle support.
Outlook
While no new export announcements were made alongside the 2026 delivery, Turkey has previously promoted the HGK family to allied and partner air forces operating Western standard aircraft and Mk series bombs.
For the Turkish Air Force, the latest HGK 84 Precision Guidance Kit delivery ensures sustained availability of proven precision strike tools as Ankara balances fleet modernization, indigenous fighter development, and regional security commitments.