After Chinese J-35 Acquisition, Pakistan in Talks with Turkey to Produce 5th-Gen TAI Kaan Stealth Fighter Jets Domestically

Pakistan is poised to significantly enhance its air force capabilities through advanced discussions with Turkey to establish a domestic production facility for the fifth-generation TAI Kaan stealth fighter jet. This move represents a strategic leap for Pakistan's defence capabilities, aiming to produce a local variant of this cutting-edge aircraft.

This initiative comes alongside Pakistan's ongoing negotiations to acquire 40 Shenyang J-35 stealth fighter jets from China, intended to modernize its air fleet by replacing aging F-16s and French Mirage fighters.

According to a Turkish media report, the discussions with Turkey extend beyond mere exports, focusing on joint development ventures, including helicopters. This highlights a commitment to deepening defence technology collaboration and industrial partnerships between the two nations.

Reports indicate that Pakistan may officially join the Kaan stealth aircraft project, with multiple subsystems slated for local manufacture. Establishing a joint production line could significantly alleviate financial pressures while boosting local employment.

An anonymous source quoted by EurAsian Times stated, "Pakistan might have officially joined the Kaan stealth aircraft project. Multiple subsystems would be manufactured in Pakistan. A joint production line is likely being established. This will reduce the financial burden considerably and provide jobs for Pakistanis."

This strategic shift towards diversifying military procurement comes amidst concerns from the Indian Air Force (IAF). Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh has voiced worries about the rapid enhancement of both Pakistani and Chinese air forces, contrasting it with the IAF's delays in receiving its domestically produced Tejas aircraft.

He noted, "Pakistan may not be able to afford two different stealth fighters due to its economic constraints. However, the discussions with Turkey are a sign that Pakistan understands the need to diversify its military equipment beyond reliance on Chinese supply."

The collaboration with Turkey on the Kaan project, therefore, transcends the acquisition of new aircraft. It signifies a move to forge stronger defence ties with a NATO member and a nation with burgeoning defence technology. As Air Chief Marshal Singh further remarked, "Through Kaan, they strengthen their defence cooperation with a trusted and reliable partner, Turkey."

This development has significant implications for the regional security landscape. Pakistan's pursuit of both the J-35 and the Kaan signals its ambition to enhance its air power significantly. It also highlights the growing defence cooperation between Pakistan and Turkey, potentially leading to a more diversified and potent Pakistani air force in the years to come.

 

[DB_NE_Guy]

Kaan with it's Western tech and components will be more deadlier than Chinese counterparts. But that would also means more pricier. Pak can afford few due to its state of economy.

 

[PKPRS]

It could be foreign sponsored Marketing to create scare and panic to buy their aircraft.

 

[sanket]

Turkey will get customers rather than stakeholders. It will be out of reach for Pakistan to fund the project and contribute any development of tech for this so-called 5th-gen project. The engine is yet to be developed. My guess is the South Korean KF-21 will be better than KAAN.

 

[swatkats_razor]

BTW Pakistan is also in advanced discussions with the US to move production of F-35 jets to Pakistan.

Game changer bhai, Game changer.

Now, can we put focus back on real countries, like China?

 

[David Jones]

India is in a really precarious situation and should exercise it's options carefully. China is breathing down it's neck and is developing 6 gen fighters. Pakistan is getting 5th gen aircraft from China and Turkey. Bangladesh is getting aircrafts and fighting equipment from Pakistan. To survive India should join the USA camp. That is it

 

[Koorma]

Pakistan too will do the screwdriver job.

 

[DB_NE_Guy]

India is in a really precarious situation and should exercise it's options carefully. China is breathing down it's neck and is developing 6 gen fighters. Pakistan is getting 5th gen aircraft from China and Turkey. Bangladesh is getting aircrafts and fighting equipment from Pakistan. To survive India should join the USA camp. That is it

Irony is that US itself is jealous of Indian strategic Autonomy and has been busy working to curtail it by showing seeds of rebellion in Bangladesh. India is like 3rd biggest enemy of US after Russia and China. Only because of China, US is friends with India.

 

[Surendra Barsode]

Thankfully, Pakistan is doing badly on the economic front; otherwise, its collaboration with the Chinese and the Turks would have been a big headache for India. Will Pakistan be able to pay the Turks the price of the Kaan?

 

[Kira]

Kaan with it's Western tech and components will be more deadlier than Chinese counterparts. But that would also means more pricier. Pak can afford few due to its state of economy.

I don't know, but it's likely that the EU or US will block the sale of these Turkish fighters to Pakistan due to its close ties with the PRC if this jet contains significant advanced Western tech.

Recall, previously the US had blocked Pakistan from ordering a Turkish helicopter due to the presence of an American engine in it, if I remember correctly.

 

[DB_NE_Guy]

I don't know, but it's likely that the EU or US will block the sale of these Turkish fighters to Pakistan due to its close ties with the PRC if this jet contains significant advanced Western tech.

Recall, previously the US had blocked Pakistan from ordering a Turkish helicopter due to the presence of an American engine in it, if I remember correctly.

I agree, US is likely do this. But I am not sure about Europeans particularly UK given it's soft stance towards Pakistan. Also, Turkey is designing it's own components and engines. Geopolitics alignment drives everything. So, It is difficult to predict exactly.

 

[obiwankenubi jedi]

We must officially join either the F-35, Su-57, or KF-21 program for 5th gen and also the next-gen FCAS program for 6th gen in 2025.

We can't do 4th gen ourselves, and there is no way we will build 5th and 6th gen without help; we need the experts, unfortunately.

We are not like the US, Russia, France, UK, Germany, or China, who built their own 4.5 gen decades ago and are now going for 5th and 6th gen.

We are just learning and getting into the game, not established players with the ecosystem for research and manufacturing.

Don't we get it yet?

We must let HAL, ADA, and DRDO work on Tejas Mk1a, Mk2, and TEDBF.

AMCA is actually a HAL concept/product, not from DRDO or ADA.

But the private sector must be roped in for MRFA and F-35/Su-57/KF-21 now for 5th gen.

 

[obiwankenubi jedi]

Thankfully, Pakistan is doing badly on the economic front; otherwise, its collaboration with the Chinese and the Turks would have been a big headache for India. Will Pakistan be able to pay the Turks the price of the Kaan?

This is all surely funded by China against India via its puppets Pakistan and Turkey

 

[DB_NE_Guy]

Thankfully, Pakistan is doing badly on the economic front; otherwise, its collaboration with the Chinese and the Turks would have been a big headache for India. Will Pakistan be able to pay the Turks the price of the Kaan?

Pakistan is part of many nexus. It may be poor but being only nuke armed nation in the Muslim world, Arab Nations will feed this beggar snake for security purposes by giving funds.

 

[Kira]

I agree, US is likely do this. But I am not sure about Europeans particularly UK given it's soft stance towards Pakistan. Also, Turkey is designing it's own components and engines. Geopolitics alignment drives everything. So, It is difficult to predict exactly.

True, but since the Europeans also want to sell arms to India and even invite the country to participate in its upcoming next-generation fighter jet programs, it's very likely they, too, will hesitate to allow Turkey to sell to any non-NATO country due to geopolitical and commercial issues.

Also, Pakistan itself may not be in a position to buy Turkish jets due to its economic situation, and Turkey, unlike the PRC, won't offer them a loan, as its own economy is just chugging along as well.

So, fingers crossed 🤞

 

[obiwankenubi jedi]

It could be foreign sponsored Marketing to create scare and panic to buy their aircraft.

Yes, it is. But it's not bad for us. It's really when China kicked our butt that we fortified and defended our borders and rebuilt the Navy. Now, only when Pakistan starts 5th-gen procurement will we take 5th-gen seriously.

 

[PKPRS]

Yes, it is. But it's not bad for us. It's really when China kicked our butt that we fortified and defended our borders and rebuilt the Navy. Now, only when Pakistan starts 5th-gen procurement will we take 5th-gen seriously.

we need atleast 2-3 squadrons of 5th gen Aircraft, whatever is offered to us.

 

[Nobody In here]

Pakistan too will do the screwdriver job.

But at least they got one whole plane which flies and fires missiles, not low-quality drones that Adani made.

 

[Nobody In here]

we need atleast 2-3 squadrons of 5th gen Aircraft, whatever is offered to us.

What options do you have & how long will you have to wait?

 

[PKPRS]

What options do you have & how long will you have to wait?

We won't buy the F-35 as there is a basic lack of trust between both, Tempest will be too expensive and nothing will be shared, FCAS is doubtful as there is constant quarreling between the partners, and we can't buy the SK KAI as it is only a 4.75 jet at the moment. The only option is to buy at least 2 squadrons of Su-57 and add more stealth features, fit them with Indian equipment made for the AMCA program, and kickstart the Tejas MK2 4.5 gen jet and AMCA ASAP. Using 4.5 gen jets against stealth jets is a recipe for disaster; we have to mix and match both.

 

[Rational Guy]

I agree, US is likely do this. But I am not sure about Europeans particularly UK given it's soft stance towards Pakistan. Also, Turkey is designing it's own components and engines. Geopolitics alignment drives everything. So, It is difficult to predict exactly.

Jet engines are enormously difficult to achieve. If Turkey starts now, it will take them 10-15 years at least to have a jet engine for KAAN ready. Avionics of KAAN is also from BAE, which means Turkey will need extensive permissions from the West to give KAAN to Pakistan for the next decade.

 

[alpha numeric]

deadlier than Chinese counterparts.

Assuming that the Chinese build their weapons platforms on bamboo is incorrect. The Chinese have reverse-engineered Western systems (cutting-edge American stuff) and built on top of it using their own R&D. You people are talking about the Chinese as if we are Americans.

 

[BCharlie]

Jet engines are enormously difficult to achieve. If Turkey starts now, it will take them 10-15 years at least to have a jet engine for KAAN ready. Avionics of KAAN is also from BAE, which means Turkey will need extensive permissions from the West to give KAAN to Pakistan for the next decade.

Sir ji, the first batch is with GE F110 engines, and in 2028 Turkey is set to test its own TF10000 engine manufactured by Tusas Engine Industries, which are a direct replacement of F110-GE-129 engines for its 5th-gen fighters. These are the same engines used by F-15 fighters.