TurkIYE will export 48 of its nationally produced KAAN fighter jets to Indonesia, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced, marking the first export deal for the advanced aircraft that is still in the development stage.
The 48 KAAN fighter jets would be manufactured in Turkiye and exported to Indonesia, Erdogan said in an X post on Wednesday, adding that Indonesia’s “local capabilities” would be integrated into the production process.
The Turkish leader did not elaborate or disclose the agreement’s financial details.
The deal came on the sidelines of the defence industry exposition, Indo Defence 2025, in Jakarta, Turkiye’s Sabah newspaper reported.
“This agreement showcases the progress and achievements of our domestic and national defence industry,” Erdogan said.
He also praised Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto for his role in securing the agreement.
Prabowo on Wednesday also witnessed Indonesia’s Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and Turkish Defence Industry Secretary Haluk Gorgun signing the KAAN purchase plan agreement, the State Secretariat Ministry said.
Analysts consider Indonesia’s defence a priority for Prabowo.
He wants to expand the military by buying submarines, frigates and fighter jets and initiate more defence cooperation with various countries.
“No sane nation wants war,” Prabowo said in his opening speech at the four-day arms exhibition.
“But history has taught us that a nation that does not want to invest in its defence (system) will lose its independence and become a slave nation,” he said.
Request for comments and financial details about Erdogan’s announcement has yet to receive a response from the Defence Ministry.
However, local media reports said the agreement is worth US$10bil (RM42.4bil).
Indonesia has embarked on a drive to upgrade and modernise its arsenal and strengthen the domestic defence industry.
Prabowo has crisscrossed the globe since he was appointed defence minister in 2019, traveling to China, France, Russia, Turkiye and the United States in a bid to acquire new military weapon systems and surveillance and territorial defence capabilities.
The Indonesian Air Force operates a mix of fighter jets made in different countries, including the United States, Russia and Britain.
Some of the aircraft have reached or are approaching the phase when they will need to be replaced or upgraded. — AP
