Turkey has taken a significant step forward in its defense exports by securing a multibillion-dollar agreement with Indonesia, which includes the delivery of 48 KAAN fifth-generation fighter jets and two İstif-class frigates — underscoring Ankara’s expanding influence in Southeast Asia’s defense market.
On July 26, 2026, both governments signed the formal commercial contract detailing the technical annexes and implementation plans for the 48 aircraft deal. This follows the earlier government-to-government (G2G) agreement signed on June 11, 2025.
The partnership extends beyond procurement — encompassing engineering collaboration, production, and technology transfer. A key highlight is the planned establishment of local aerospace infrastructure in Indonesia, symbolizing the strategic depth of the defense cooperation.
The aircraft will be delivered over a 10-year schedule, in several batches. Indonesian defense firms PT Republik Aero Dirgantara and PT Dirgantara Indonesia will serve as key local partners. The agreement also includes long-term engineering support and joint R&D activities.
The signing ceremony brought together Turkish Defense Industry Agency President Haluk Görgün, Indonesian Defense Minister Şefri Şemsuddin, Turkish Aerospace CEO Mehmet Demiroğlu, Chairman Ömer Cihat Vardan, and Air Marshal Yusuf Zuhari of the Indonesian Defense Facilities Agency.
KAAN performed its maiden flight on February 21, 2024. The aircraft is expected to enter serial production by 2028, with first deliveries to the Turkish Air Force scheduled for 2029.
In a separate but related development at IDEF 2025, the two nations finalized a contract for two MİLGEM-class İstif-type frigates — the first of their kind to be exported to Indonesia.
The lead ship of the İstif class, TCG İstanbul, was commissioned in January 2024, with more units under construction for the Turkish Navy.
This frigate deal marks the third major naval cooperation project between the two countries. The first is the ongoing construction of two 70-meter fast attack craft, armed with missiles, being built by Turkey’s TAIS consortium at Sefine Shipyard. These vessels will integrate combat systems developed by Havelsan.
The second involves equipping Indonesia’s future Merah Putih-class frigates — based on the Babcock Arrowhead 140 design — with Turkish-made systems, including Aselsan’s radars and sonars, Havelsan’s ADVENT combat management system, and Roketsan’s Atmaca anti-ship missiles.
