Indonesia to Buy Turkish KAAN Fighter if it is Free of U.S. Components

Indonesia has made it conditional that it will go ahead with a potential purchase of Turkish KAAN fighter jet only if it is free from ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations) components.

The ITAR is a U.S. rule that controls the sale of products which have even 10% U.S. made components. This applies to both domestic and foreign -made high tech equipment.

KAAN fighters will initially be equipped with U.S-made GE engines and later with a Turkish engine.

A $15 billion framework agreement has was announced in 2025 for the export of Turkey’s KAAN National Combat Aircraft to Indonesia.

Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ) CEO Mehmet Demiroğlu said the KAAN sales process to Indonesia has been structured in three phases, with the first phase already signed under a $15 billion framework agreement.

He added that the second and third phases are expected to be signed in 2026, allowing the program to proceed at full scale.

Demiroğlu also stated that Indonesia has requested a fully ITAR-free KAAN equipped with an indigenous engine, and will wait until such a configuration becomes available before moving forward with the acquisition.