This Muslim country, India’s friend, to purchase Turkey’s 5th gen Kaan fighter jet, name is…; Erdogan threatening US dominance due to…

In a major threat to the United States’ dominance in the global arms market, Turkey, already considered a drone manufacturing powerhouse, is now posing a challenge to US-made stealth fighter jets, including the F-35 Lightning II, with its indigenous Kaan fighter jet, which is being viewed by many countries as a pocket-friendly, and more accessible to US fighter planes, that come loaded with preconditions, apart from the hefty price tag.

According to media reports, Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim country, recently signed a deal with Turkey, to acquire a fleet of 48 Kaan fighter jets, while Egypt has also expressed interest in acquiring the Turkish-made 5th-gen stealth fighter. Experts believe that this poses a direct challenge to the US in the fighter jet market, which is dominated by Washington, its European allies, along with Russia and China.

How powerful is Turkey’s Kaan fighter jet?

Developed by Turkey’s state-owned Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) to replace the country’s aging fleet of F-16 fighter jets, the TAI Kaan, commonly known as the Kaan, is a 5th-generation, twin engine stealth fighter jet designed for all-weather air superiority. Ankara is presenting the Kaan fighter as a cheaper, more accessible option to the US’ F-35 stealth fighter, to entice smaller nations, especially Gulf countries, to purchase the aircraft.

Recently, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that Indonesia and Ankara have signed an agreement for the former to purchase 48 Kaan fighter jets, while reports have emerged that Egypt has also expressed interest in the stealth fighter.

Why is the US concerned?

According to geopolitical experts, the US has not offered the F-35– its most advanced fighter aircraft– to Israel’s neighbours in the Middle East as it wants the Jewish nation to retain its technological edge and aerial superiority in the region.

Last month, Turkey signed a preliminary deal with Britain and Germany to acquire a fleet of 40 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets, triggering alarm bells amongst Ankara’s rivals in the Middle East, including Israel, Greece, and Cyprus. According to media reports, Ankara signed a $5.6 billion deal to acquire the Eurofighter Typhoon, a 4.5 generation ultra-modern fighter jet, jointly developed by Germany, Britain, Italy, and Spain.

Erdogan wants to modernize the Turkish air force and made efforts to purchase F-35 fighter jets from its NATO ally, the United States. However, deal remains uncertain, primarily because of Israeli pressure and Ankara’s decision to purchase the S-400 air defence system from Russia.

Thus, Turkey has settled for the Eurofighter Typhoon, an advanced fighter jet in its own right, which is comparable to the French Dassault Rafale, and US’ F-16 fighters.