Trump gives BIG shock to Erdogan’s KAAN stealth fighter dream as US halts supply of…; will Turkey challenge NATO, Washington?

In a major setback for Turkey’s efforts to develop its indigenous 5th-generation KAAN stealth fighter jet, the United States has halted the supply of F110 engines to Ankara, dealing a severe blow to the country’s advanced fighter jet program, which is reportedly a dream project of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Why US decision signals deepening rift within NATO?

Addressing a press conference, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said the US Congress blocked export licenses for GE’s F110 engines meant for Ankara’s ambitious KAAN stealth fighter. Fidan termed the move as a “a deliberate obstacle against Turkey’s ambition to achieve its national defense independence” and linked it deepening rifts within the US-led NATO alliance.

The Turkish minister also accused the US of weaponizing military technology to hurt Ankara’s strategic autonomy amid Ankara’s efforts to restructure a $7 billion arms deal with Washington, which includes the sale of US-made F-35 fighter jets to Turkey.

Notably, Turkey had sought US permission to import General Electric’s F110 engines, and to locally assemble these, along with F404 engines, in efforts to reduce foreign dependence. However, Washington turned down the request, while US lawmakers placed an embargo on supply of fighter jet engines to Turkey, citing concerns about Ankara’s efforts to align with US national security, intellectual property sensitivities, and NATO policies.

How US blockade could impact Turkey’s KAAN fighter jet program?

According to experts, the US Congress blockade of engine deliveries to Turkey would significantly hamper the development of the KAAN fighter jet program, and halt production of its initial variants, Block 0 and Block 1.

Notably, the US has also refused to sell its 5th-gen F-35 fighter jet to Turkey, presumably to ensure that Israel maintains a technological edge and aerial superiority in the Middle East. The halting of engine imports from US will also severely impact Turkey’s defense exports as Ankara recently signed a deal with Indonesia to provide a fleet of 48 Kaan fighter jets to the Southeast Asian country.

Additionally, it will also pose major defense challenges for Turkey against Greece and Israel, who already operate F-35 stealth fighter jets, and the stalling of KAAN fighter jet program would deal a significant blow to Ankara’s military power against neighboring rivals.

What is Turkey’s KAAN fighter jet program?

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.

As per reports, Turkey is also an indigenous fighter aircraft engine, the TRMotor, but the project is expected to at least another 10 years to finalize. Ankara does have the option to purchase the WS-15 engines from China, but that would mean going directly against the US and NATO, something which Erdogan seems unwilling to do.