Turkey and Spain in Talks for KAAN Fifth-Generation Fighter Export

Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) is currently engaged in preliminary government-to-government negotiations with Spain regarding the potential export of Turkey’s domestically developed fifth-generation stealth fighter, the KAAN. According to reporting by Turkish Minute, TAI Chief Executive Mehmet Demiroğlu confirmed the discussions during the SAHA 2026 International Defense and Air-Shows Exhibition in Istanbul.

If finalized, this agreement would mark a historic milestone in European defense procurement, representing the first time a Turkish fifth-generation fighter is exported to a NATO and European Union member state. The talks highlight a growing trend among European nations seeking sovereign control over their combat aviation assets and reducing reliance on traditional suppliers.

Spain is reportedly exploring the KAAN as a stopgap solution to replace its aging fleet of F/A-18 Hornets and AV-8B Harriers. This pivot follows Madrid’s rejection of the US-made F-35 Lightning II and ongoing developmental delays in the European Future Combat Air System (FCAS) program, which have left the Spanish Air and Space Force facing a critical capability gap.

The Catalyst for Spain’s Pivot

Rejection of the F-35 and FCAS Delays

Spain’s interest in the Turkish fighter stems from a complex mix of operational urgency, industrial ambition, and geopolitical friction. In August 2025, Madrid officially shelved plans to procure the Lockheed Martin F-35. Industry reports indicate this decision was heavily influenced by US restrictions on critical technology access and concerns over potential operational vetoes from Washington. Furthermore, diplomatic friction between Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and US President Donald Trump has reportedly strained bilateral relations, pushing Spain to look for alternative defense partners.

Compounding the issue is Spain’s participation in the Future Combat Air System (FCAS). Co-developed with France and Germany, the next-generation fighter program has faced internal work-sharing disagreements and developmental hurdles. According to defense estimates, the FCAS is not expected to reach operational status until the mid-2040s, creating an urgent need for an interim solution.

The Hürjet Precedent

The groundwork for this potential KAAN acquisition was laid late last year. In late 2025, Spain approved a major Contracts to acquire between 30 and 45 Turkish Hürjet advanced jet trainers. Valued between €2.6 billion and €3.12 billion, the deal allows Airbus España to domestically integrate mission computers and selected Avionics. This arrangement, which designates the trainer as the SAETA II in Spain, established a successful template for industrial cooperation and technology transfer between the two nations.

Inside the KAAN Negotiations

Early Stages and Industrial Participation

The current negotiations remain in a very initial phase, involving both technical and political channels. Formal government-to-government discussions, coordinated on the Turkish side by the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB), are expected to accelerate around 2027 as the KAAN program matures.

According to Turkish Minute, TAI Chief Executive Mehmet Demiroğlu confirmed the talks, noting that Spain expressed a strategic requirement for a “superior fifth-generation fighter.”

A critical selling point for Madrid is the promise of technology transfer. TAI is reportedly offering an industrial participation model similar to the Hürjet agreement. This framework would permit Spanish defense contractors to integrate their own electronic warfare systems, mission Software, and datalinks into the KAAN, ensuring sovereign control without the centralized foreign oversight required by US platforms.

Technical Profile of the KAAN Fighter

Development and Capabilities

The KAAN is a twin-engine, single-seat, fifth-generation stealth fighter designed with low-observable shaping, internal weapons bays, and an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radar-Systems. TAI officials have publicly highlighted its twin-engine configuration and 10-ton ammunition capacity as distinct advantages over the single-engine F-35.

The aircraft is currently in its prototype and developmental testing phase. It completed its Maiden-Flight on February 21, 2024, followed by a second test flight on May 6, 2024. Additional prototypes are scheduled for completion in 2026 and 2027.

Production and Export Goals

Domestically, the KAAN is slated to replace the Turkish Air Force’s F-16 fleet beginning in the 2030s. TAI aims to deliver 20 Block-10 aircraft between 2028 and 2030, with hundreds more projected by 2033. On the export front, Spain would become the second major international customer if the deal proceeds. In 2025, Indonesia signed a $10 billion agreement for 48 KAAN fighters, a deal that also featured extensive technology transfer and manufacturing collaboration.

Strategic Implications

AirPro News analysis

We observe that Madrid’s preliminary talks with Ankara signal a profound shift in NATO combat aviation strategy. By prioritizing national sovereignty and software control over the immediate operational maturity of established platforms like the F-35, Spain is charting a more autonomous defense posture. This approach allows European nations to maintain their domestic aerospace industries while bridging the gap to future indigenous programs like the FCAS.

For Turkey, securing a prominent Western European buyer would catapult its defense industry into the upper echelon of global arms exporters. This move threatens to fracture the long-standing transatlantic monopoly over fifth-generation fighter exports, proving that emerging defense sectors can successfully compete by offering flexible, sovereignty-focused industrial packages.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the KAAN fighter jet?
  The KAAN is a twin-engine, fifth-generation stealth fighter developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI). It features advanced sensor fusion, an AESA radar, and internal weapons bays.
• Why is Spain interested in a Turkish fighter?
  Spain urgently needs to replace its aging F/A-18 Hornets and AV-8B Harriers. Having rejected the US F-35 due to technology restrictions and facing delays with the European FCAS program, Spain views the KAAN as a viable stopgap that offers sovereign control over mission software.
• When will the KAAN be operational?
  The aircraft is currently in the prototype testing phase. TAI aims to deliver the first 20 Block-10 aircraft to the Turkish Air Force between 2028 and 2030.

Sources

• Turkish Minute