Turkey and Saudi Arabia have recently taken a step towards improving their mutual defense ties, moving into a critical juncture in bilateral relations. At the strategic summit conducted in Jeddah in July 2024, it has been decided, officials from the two countries have announced, that such high-value defense projects should be jointly executed. These include the assembly in Saudi Arabia of the fifth-generation Turkish KAAN fighter jet. These fifth-generation fighters are the new generation of combat aircraft equipped with cutting-edge stealth, advanced avionics, and superior maneuverability. Such a move will support Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, a comprehensive plan to diversify the economy away from its dependence on oil alone and develop local industries such as a self-sustained defense sector through partnerships with established international manufacturers.

These defense ties have been well nurtured by Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI), now signing several deals with the leading Turkish defense firms, such as Baykar, Aselsan, and TUSAŞ (Turkish Aerospace Industries). The agreements are diversified in the areas, starting with UAVs-the aircraft operated for remote manned-unmanned vehicle to advanced defense electronics. This cooperation is itself highly promising because the two nations have mutual commitment toward advancement in military capabilities and technology transfer together, toward support of defense industry development in both countries. This partnership shows that their interests are converging; each of the two nations aims to become a leader in this emerging landscape of Middle Eastern defense.

The KAAN project began in 2016 and costs $1.18 billion, thereby representing an investment in acquiring all the technologies needed for the defense sector of Türkiye. The development is also undertaken in collaboration with international firms like BAE Systems, which is one of the world’s biggest defense contractors based in the United Kingdom, and Rolls-Royce, famous for its aircraft engine designs. The EJ200 is the powerplant, capable of supersonic cruise, a capability to cruise at speeds above the sound barrier without the use of afterburners. Afterburners are rich liquid fuel injections into the gas-stream to generate additional thrust in jet fighter aircraft. The KAAN was designed to be 14 meters long, 21 meters tall, and 6 meters high. Its maximum speed was at Mach 1.8, equivalent to 1.8 times the speed of sound, and its service ceiling could go up to 55,000 feet. This interoperability with other assets such as F-35A would ensure the effectiveness of the aircraft in operations not only with the existing platforms but with joint military missions.

With a combat range of about 1,100 kilometers, the KAAN can carry more than 6,000 kilograms of payload and even still can employ various kinds of air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons. Its radar based on an Active Electronically Scanned Array system offers a detection distance of more than 100 kilometers and therefore improves its targeting accuracy as well as situational awareness. Such an aircraft possesses a length of around 19 meters and a wingspan of around 12 meters with twin engines producing close to 27,000 pounds of thrust, which provides superior agility as well as extended performance in combat.

The program is aimed at modernizing the aerial capacity of Turkey along with the development of the defense industry in the local context while maintaining control over the intellectual property of the significant technologies, particularly concerning the jet’s engine. This is a strategic move in the interest of increased country freedom in defense production. The Turkish defense sector has become phenomenal growth recently as the overall progress on weapon manufacturing lines for state-owned and private firms alike has been substantial. Companies like TAI, ASELSAN-an electronics company specializing in military applications, and Roketsan-a missile manufacturer-have earned accolades for developing advanced military technologies. A notable success story has been the Bayraktar TB2 drone, which demonstrated thatഉം൪irkezine strike and reconnaissance capability during the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, thus gaining it international attention.

Turkey’s arms export has also grown tenfold. Military equipment is sold to Ukraine, Qatar, Azerbaijan, and other countries. Its products – such as drones and armored vehicles – are sought after in parts of Africa and Asia. Such export growth not only boosts revenues but also strengthens the diplomatic bargaining power of defense partnerships. Besides exports, Türkiye has heavily invested in local production as well to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers. The best example of Turkish incentives for self-sufficiency is projects like the KAAN, which will replace the ageing F-16 fleets in Türkiye without waiting for the bureaucratic mess of procurement related to foreign technologies. Such steps underscore the aspirations of Türkiye to embed its strategic independence and enhance its status as a military power in the region and beyond.

Saudi Arabia has been modernizing its combat aircraft to strengthen its military capabilities given on-going regional tensions. Traditionally, the kingdom depends on American aircraft, such as the F-15 for air superiority in the war, and has enjoyed close military relations with the U.S. It has a diverse fleet, including four squadrons of F-15C/D Eagles in air dominance, three squadrons of F-15S/SA for multi-role operations that can undertake both air-to-air and ground attacks, and Eurofighter Typhoons for its versatility. It also has three squadrons of Tornado aircraft, which are mostly used for ground attacks, thus giving the kingdom a diversified mix of tactical options.

Saudi Arabia wants to purchase fifth-generation fighters, beating up the strength of its air power and defense capabilities, but reports said the United States has put an embargo on the sale of F-35 jets due to concerns over Riyadh’s human rights record and regional stability. Saudi could not win access in the same way the United Arab Emirates did by receiving F-35 jets after having established relations with Israel. To this, Riyadh has resorted to other aerial military technologies in Rafale, which France makes, Türkiye’s KAAN, and China’s J-31, a stealth fighter with technology related to the F-35 capability to evade the opponent’s radar, all of which will be a negotiating card for the transfer of technology and the potential domestic production Saudi Arabia needs to diversify its defense sector away from U.S. reliance on military support. While these efforts may be hindered by political considerations and partner unease over sovereignty, the continuing emphasis is on the acquisition of fifth-generation fighters that should enhance military sovereignty and further buttress the defense sector.

Shahzad Masood Roomi

Shahzad Masood Roomi is founding member and, editor security and geopolitics at GCW. He is IT graduate and has more than 10 years experience of being a  geopolitics and defense affairs analyst. He focuses on IR, geopolitics, strategic studies, maritime security, cybersecurity issues, military aviation, history and geography. His work has published in national and international media outlets.