Clear Ambitions: Erdogan's Fighter Jet Program in Turkey
Turkey faces a strategic dilemma regarding the sixth-generation fighter jet. The program, managed under the 'Edgewing' consortium, aims to develop a manned fighter with stealth features, a variable-cycle engine, sensor fusion, artificial intelligence, and the ability to operate with drone swarms. Canada has joined the project as an observer. A partnership of four non-EU countries, alongside Italy, may protect Turkey's defense programs from future sanctions.
Turkey faces a significant strategic dilemma regarding the sixth-generation fighter jet. The program, managed under the 'Edgewing' consortium, aims to develop a manned fighter that will include advanced stealth features, a variable-cycle engine, sensor fusion, artificial intelligence, multi-domain command and control capabilities, and the ability to operate in conjunction with drone swarms. Recently, Canada joined the project as an observer. Assistance from project partners could accelerate the development of Turkey's independent turbofan engine, the TF-35000, designed for the 'Kaan'. Geopolitically, a joint project would allow Ankara to maintain its strategic independence while strengthening its ties with NATO and building bridges to Japan, a technology giant showing growing interest in Turkey's unmanned vehicles. Turkey's former ambassador to NATO, Fatih Ceylan, noted in an interview with 'Turkey Today' that a partnership of four non-EU countries, alongside Italy, could protect Turkey's defense programs from future sanctions.