Saudi Arabia Eyes Turkey’s KAAN as F-35 Deal Remains Uncertain

Saudi Arabia is keeping more than one route open as it builds the future of its air force. While its effort to acquire U.S.-made F-35 stealth fighters remains unfinished, Riyadh is now in advanced talks with Turkey about a deeper role in the KAAN fifth-generation fighter program.

The discussions reportedly go beyond a conventional aircraft sale. The options include buying KAAN jets directly, producing them jointly, or involving Saudi Arabia in the development program led by Turkish Aerospace Industries, known as TUSAŞ. No final agreement has been announced by either government.

That distinction matters to Riyadh. Buying the aircraft would strengthen the fleet, but participating in production could bring technology, skilled workers, supply-chain capacity and maintenance capabilities, as well as some independence in developing the kingdom’s air power.

TUSAŞ General Manager Mehmet Demiroğlu said at the World Defense Show in Riyadh in February 2026 that talks had reached the final decision-making stage. One scenario involves Saudi Arabia buying about 20 KAAN aircraft. If Riyadh wants a final assembly line inside the kingdom, however, a TUSAŞ feasibility study estimates that at least about 50 aircraft would be needed. Demiroğlu separately said the negotiations had reached the “highest level,” while Ankara hopes to announce a breakthrough in 2026.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan gave the talks a stronger political signal after visiting Riyadh and Cairo in February. “We have received many positive responses regarding KAAN. There is a joint investment with Saudi Arabia in this field, and we can realize this partnership at any time,” he said. Seven months later, no agreement had been announced, but reports that negotiations remain advanced suggest KAAN is still under serious consideration in Riyadh.

The interest also fits Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. The General Authority for Military Industries aims to localize more than 50% of the kingdom’s defense equipment and services spending by 2030. The latest published figure, for 2024, put localization at 24.89%, up sharply from the start of the defense-industry reform. A KAAN arrangement could therefore involve Saudi-made components, training for Saudi technicians, maintenance centers and, if large enough, domestic production.

“

We have received many positive responses regarding KAAN. There is a joint investment with Saudi Arabia in this field, and we can realize this partnership at any time.