Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said his country wants to help Turkey develop its fifth-generation fighter jet, the KAAN. Subianto expressed the intention in a joint statement with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan following a bilateral meeting in Ankara on Thursday.
According to Indonesian state media, Subianto also mentioned Indonesia’s plans to collaborate with the Turkish industry on submarine development. The two leaders further agreed to establish a joint defense company, but additional information regarding the venture was not disclosed.
Beyond defense cooperation, Subianto said the two leaders agreed to enhance bilateral trade by expanding market access and removing trade barriers. They also directed their ministers to finalize negotiations for a preferential trade agreement as a step toward a comprehensive economic partnership agreement.
Developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries, the KAAN fighter jet is Turkey’s first indigenous fifth-generation aircraft. TAI aims to deliver 20 KAAN Block 10 jets to the Turkish Air Force by 2028, with production scaling up after. According to a Reuters report, General Electric engines will power the new fighter jet, with plans to integrate domestically produced engines in the future.
In addition to the KAAN program, Turkish missile manufacturer Roketsan signed an agreement with Indonesia to establish a joint defense production facility. The collaboration will involve the co-production of anti-ship and cruise missiles and smart ammunition systems, seeking to broaden Ankara’s reach in Southeast Asia and enhance Jakarta’s high-precision missile capabilities.