Türkiye Awaits 80 More F110 Engines For KAAN Jet

Türkiye’s Ministry of National Defense (MSB) has issued a detailed clarification on the engine supply and development roadmap for the KAAN National Combat Aircraft, seeking to address public debate over reliance on foreign powerplants. 

The statement, disclosed on December 26, 2025, came in response to a written parliamentary inquiry and outlined both the status of U.S.-origin engines and the timeline for Türkiye’s indigenous engine effort.

According to the ministry, the KAAN program currently relies on the F110-GE-129E turbofan engine, produced by General Electric Aerospace in the United States. 

MSB confirmed that under the first subcontract between TUSAŞ and GE F-110 engines were procured and fully delivered as of September 2025. 

These engines are designated for early KAAN blocks and flight activities. 

A second subcontract covering 80 additional engines remains under discussion with U.S. authorities, with talks continuing at the government level.

The clarification follows earlier remarks by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who stated that KAAN engines were “waiting in the U.S. Congress” and that licensing delays conflicted with the spirit of alliance and strategic partnership. 

MSB acknowledged the sensitivity of the issue but stressed that deliveries under the first agreement were completed on schedule and that the engine supply process is proceeding within established contractual frameworks.

The ministry emphasized that the F110 engines currently in use are a temporary solution, intended to support the program’s initial operational blocks rather than define its long-term propulsion strategy.

MSB confirmed that a decisive shift toward an indigenous engine has been made for the Block 30 and Block 40 variants of KAAN. 

For these later configurations, Türkiye has selected the TF35000 engine concept, developed by TEI (TUSAŞ Engine Industries). 

The selection was finalized on March 18, 2024, marking a key milestone in reducing external dependency for the fighter’s propulsion system.

To formalize the effort, the Defense Industry Agency’s Directorate of Engines and Power Transmission Systems signed a Preliminary Design Phase contract on August 5, 2024, with the TEI–TR Motor joint venture under the “MMU Indigenous Engine Development Project.”

According to Defense Minister Yaşar Güler, the preliminary design phase of the indigenous KAAN engine is scheduled to be completed in early 2026. 

The ministry framed this timeline as realistic and aligned with the overall aircraft development plan, stressing that propulsion localization is being pursued through phased, risk-managed steps rather than abrupt transitions.