Saudi Arabia Contemplates Purchasing Turkey's Impending Stealth Fighter Aircraft
Saudi Arabia Contemplates Purchasing Turkey's Impending Stealth Fighter Aircraft
Saudi Arabia has shown interest in purchasing 100 TF Kaan stealth fighter jets, which are currently in development in Turkey. There are political and technical reasons why the Kingdom might choose this particular aircraft. For instance, it could be attempting to signal to the United States that it has alternatives to the fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II. Additionally, the Saudi Air Force might view the TF Kaan as a suitable temporary solution until it acquires a sixth-generation fighter, potentially in the 2040s or later.
After three days of discussions on defense collaboration between the two countries, Turkish media reported that Saudi Arabia aims to procure 100 TF Kaan jets as part of its military's strategic plans for the 2030s.
The Saudi kingdom is already engaged in extensive defense cooperation with Turkey. A 2023 order of Turkish Bayraktar Akinci drones was described as the "biggest defense and aviation export contract in the history of the Republic of Turkey."
A deal for 100 TF Kaans would be unprecedented and could provide Turkey with much-needed investment in the ambitious aircraft project. Additionally, such a large Saudi order could help reduce the price per aircraft, making it more attractive to other potential foreign customers who might be deterred by the current price tag.
The Kaan completed its first flight in February 2024. "With Kaan, our country will not only have a fifth-generation fighter jet, but also technologies that few countries in the world have," said Haluk Gorgun, head of Turkey's Defense Industries Directorate, at the time.
Initially, the twin-engine stealth jet uses American-made General Electric F-110 engines, as used in F-16s and other fourth-generation fighters. However, Turkey plans to replace these with indigenous engines. Without fifth-generation engines, the TF Kaan, boasting fifth-generation capabilities, will not become a fully-fledged fifth-generation stealth fighter.
Consequently, the aircraft might be informally known as a "4.75-generation" fighter, in a class above the Dassault Rafale and Eurofighter Typhoon but below fifth-generation stealth aircraft like the F-35 and F-22 Raptor.
Saudi Arabia might be satisfied with this, especially if it secures technology transfers and joint production opportunities, helping develop its domestic arms industry further.
In addition to modern F-15SA fighters, Riyadh has expressed interest in ordering 54 Rafales from France. These are among the most capable and sophisticated 4.5-generation fighters available on the market.
However, this does not mean that Saudi Arabia is not interested in acquiring fifth-generation fighters. On the contrary, the kingdom has long sought F-35s but never received authorization. The outgoing Biden administration has discussed a potential Saudi F-35 sale as part of the proposed bilateral defense treaty and the kingdom establishing diplomatic relations with Israel. The incoming Trump administration might also consider selling F-35s to the kingdom as part of a broader deal.
By expressing interest in the TF Kaan, Saudi Arabia could potentially show Washington that it has alternatives to the F-35. Neighboring United Arab Emirates reportedly showed interest in joining the KF-21 project after suspending its F-35 negotiations.
Over the long term, Saudi Arabia might have concluded that procuring the F-35 or any other genuinely fifth-generation aircraft is unlikely. By setting its sights on fielding a "4.75-gen" fighter in the 2030s, it may aim to have a sixth-generation fighter sometime in the 2040s.
Furthermore, there are already indications that Riyadh wants such a fighter. In return for "an potentially significant financial contribution," the kingdom wants to become the fourth partner in the UK-Japan-Italy Global Combat Air Program (GCAP) developing the Tempest stealth fighter. However, Japan is reportedly hesitant to grant the kingdom's admission, fearing disagreements between members might delay the project's rollout in 2035.
Whether Saudi Arabia ultimately gains admission to the GCAP and, with it, access to advanced technologies and the prospect of jointly producing one of the world's most cutting-edge combat aircraft, remains to be seen. For now, Riyadh appears content to expand its already extensive defense partnership with Turkey by acquiring the TF Kaan and patiently waiting.
The TF Kaan stealth fighter jet, currently in development in Turkey, is reportedly of interest to Saudi Arabia for possible procurement. This could potentially signal to the United States that Saudi Arabia has alternatives to the fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II.
The Royal Saudi Air Force might view the TF Kaan as a temporary solution until it can acquire a sixth-generation fighter, potentially in the 2040s or later. The proposed purchase of 100 TF Kaan jets could provide Turkey with much-needed investment in the ambitious aircraft project.
Saudi Arabia's potential interest in the TF Kaan also extends to technology transfers and joint production opportunities, which could help develop its domestic arms industry further. This interest aligns with Saudi Arabia's expressed interest in becoming the fourth partner in the UK-Japan-Italy Global Combat Air Program (GCAP) developing the Tempest stealth fighter.
Despite interest in fifth-generation fighters like the F-35, Saudi Arabia might be satisfied with acquiring a "4.75-generation" fighter like the TF Kaan, especially if it can secure advances in technology and production. The Kingdom's interest in the Tempest fighter also suggests a long-term strategy of fielding a sixth-generation fighter in the future.