Saudi Arabia is eyeing the purchase of 100 Turkish-made TF Kaan stealth fighter jets, currently in development. This potential deal marks a significant step in Riyadh’s defense strategy, with both political and technical motivations behind the interest. By choosing the TF Kaan, Saudi Arabia may be signaling to the United States that it has alternatives to the fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II, while also preparing for a more advanced fighter in the 2040s or beyond.
A Strategic Move: Saudi Arabia’s Military Plans for the 2030s
Following extensive discussions on defense collaboration, Turkish media reported that Saudi Arabia intends to acquire 100 TF Kaan jets as part of its military modernization plans for the 2030s. The Saudi kingdom’s growing defense cooperation with Turkey has already been seen in its 2023 purchase of Bayraktar Akinci drones, marking the largest defense export deal in Turkey’s history.
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If the TF Kaan deal comes to fruition, it could provide a major boost to Turkey’s aircraft project, both financially and strategically. A large-scale order from Saudi Arabia could drive down the per-unit cost of the aircraft, potentially attracting additional international buyers.
The TF Kaan: A Step Toward Turkey’s Advanced Fighter Jets
The TF Kaan took its first flight in February 2024, with Turkish Defense Industries head Haluk Gorgun highlighting the aircraft’s advanced capabilities. However, while the jet boasts fifth-generation features, it currently relies on American-made General Electric F-110 engines. Turkey plans to replace these with indigenous engines, but without a true fifth-generation engine, the TF Kaan may be classified as a “4.75-generation” aircraft, surpassing older fighters like the Rafale and Typhoon, but not yet on par with the F-35 or F-22 Raptor.
Particularly if it gains access to technology transfers and joint production opportunities, which would help advance its own arms industry, Saudi Arabia may find this compromise acceptable,
Expanding Options and Eyeing the Future
Saudi Arabia’s interest in the TF Kaan comes alongside its ongoing efforts to upgrade its fleet with modern 4.5-generation fighters like the Eurofighter and Rafale, as well as its long-standing desire for the F-35. Despite obstacles in acquiring the F-35, Riyadh’s interest in the TF Kaan reflects its strategy to diversify its options, signaling that it doesn’t rely solely on U.S. weaponry.
In the long term, Saudi Arabia may have accepted that fifth-generation fighters like the F-35 are unlikely to be available in the near future. The kingdom’s focus on the “4.75-gen” TF Kaan for the 2030s may serve as a bridge to a sixth-generation fighter in the 2040s.
Saudi Arabia’s Global Ambitions: Joining the GCAP Program
The interest of Saudi Arabia in the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP), a joint UK-Japan-Italy initiative to develop the Tempest stealth fighter, further underscores its desire to advance its air capabilities. While the kingdom has reportedly offered significant financial backing to join the program, Japan has been cautious, fearing that the inclusion of Saudi Arabia could delay the project’s 2035 deadline.
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The future of this collaboration remains uncertain, but Saudi Arabia’s pursuit of both the TF Kaan and the Tempest program indicates its commitment to acquiring cutting-edge air technology in the coming decades.
A Growing Partnership with Turkey
For now, Saudi Arabia seems content with expanding its already extensive defense partnership with Turkey. The TF Kaan deal, if realized, would mark another chapter in the two nations’ evolving military collaboration. As Riyadh looks ahead to future advancements, the TF Kaan may serve as an essential stepping stone toward greater regional and global defense capabilities.
