Turkey has reportedly approved Egypt’s participation in the development of the TAI KAAN fifth-generation fighter jet, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing normalization and defense cooperation between the two regional powers. The move positions Cairo as a potential co-developer and future operator of one of the most advanced aircraft currently under development in the ‘Islamic world’.
The development, first hinted at during Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s visit to Ankara in September 2024, underscores both nations’ willingness to turn the page on a decade of political estrangement and work toward mutually beneficial strategic alignment.
The TAI KAAN, also known as the Turkish Fighter or TF-X, is a twin-engine, stealth-capable, all-weather air superiority aircraft being developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI). Designed to replace Turkey’s F-16 fleet and compete in international markets, the KAAN completed its maiden flight in February 2024 and is expected to enter serial production by 2028.
According to sources familiar with the agreement, Turkey has formally greenlit Egypt’s participation in the KAAN program, a move that includes technology transfer and may pave the way for parts production, joint engineering, and assembly in Egypt. While specific technical details and implementation plans have not been publicly disclosed, the initiative aligns closely with Egypt’s long-term ambition to transform from an arms importer into a regional defense manufacturer and exporter.
Former Egyptian Air Force Chief of Staff, Gen. Hassan Rashid, welcomed the cooperation. “Joint manufacturing with Turkey will be a very positive step,” he said. “It will be highly beneficial for the Egyptian Armed Forces and support our broader defense industrial goals.”
The partnership comes at a time of intensified bilateral engagement. Egypt’s Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Ahmed Khalifa, has visited Turkey twice in six months, signaling Cairo’s deepening interest in Turkish defense platforms, including drones, missile systems, and now advanced fighter aircraft.
Beyond the KAAN initiative, the cooperation reflects Egypt’s broader strategy of diversifying its military procurement portfolio. Egyptian officials have long cited the need to avoid overdependence on any single supplier, especially in the wake of historic arms embargoes and supply disruptions from Western partners. In recent years, Cairo has also expanded defense ties with Russia, China, and South Korea.
For Turkey, Egypt’s inclusion in the KAAN program follows its landmark defense export deal with Indonesia, which involves the sale of 48 KAAN aircraft over a decade alongside two MİLGEM-class İstif-type frigates. These deals not only elevate the KAAN’s profile as a viable export platform but also solidify Turkey’s growing footprint as a defense technology exporter in the Global South.
The warming relations between Turkey and Egypt have extended beyond military hardware. In 2023, trade between the two nations reached $7.2 billion, with both sides aiming to double the volume in the coming years. This strategic convergence has also led to greater alignment on regional issues, including Libya and Somalia, where Ankara and Cairo have moved from rivalry to cautious coordination.
The thaw has even reached politically sensitive terrain. In July 2025, Turkish authorities arrested Mohamed Abdel Hafiz, a senior Muslim Brotherhood figure wanted by Cairo for terrorism-related charges. Though Turkey has not confirmed an extradition, the move is seen as a goodwill gesture amid renewed trust-building efforts.
Beyond Egypt, Saudi Arabia has reportedly expressed interest in acquiring up to 100 KAAN fighter jets, according to Turkish and regional sources. While no agreement has been finalized, discussions reportedly took place in recent months between Turkish defense officials and Saudi counterparts.
Riyadh has previously sought to acquire U.S.-made F-35 fighter jets, but has faced delays and uncertainty regarding approval. Its efforts to join the UK-Italy-Japan Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) have also encountered obstacles, including reported opposition from Japan. In contrast, the KAAN project is already in flight testing and may offer an earlier delivery timeline.
Turkey has indicated openness to exporting the KAAN platform to partner countries. Azerbaijan and Pakistan are also involved in the program in various capacities, and additional interest has been noted from countries such as Malaysia and Ukraine.
