Comparison of Turkish Kaan and the US F35 Fighter Jet

Added: 2026-05-10

[00:00:04]In the world of fifth generation fighter jets, a new challenger is rising to take on the established king.

[00:00:11]On one side, the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, a combat-proven stealth aircraft already dominating modern air forces.

[00:00:20]On the other, Turkey's ambitious TAI TF Kaan, a next-generation jet aiming to redefine the country's aerospace power.

[00:00:30]But this isn't just a comparison of two fighter jets. It's a clash between experience and ambition, between a battle-tested platform and a bold new entrant still shaping its future.

[00:00:41]Can Kaan really challenge the F-35?

[00:00:44]Or is the gap still too wide?

[00:00:46]Let's break it down.

[00:00:53]Starting with maximum takeoff weight, Kaan is the heavier aircraft with a maximum takeoff weight of 34,750 kg compared to the F-35's 29,900 kg.

[00:01:09]>> [music] >> When it comes to engines and power plant, the difference is even more interesting.

[00:01:16]Kaan uses twin General Electric F110 engines delivering higher combined thrust.

[00:01:22]Meanwhile, the F-35 relies on a single but extremely advanced Pratt & Whitney F135 engine, known for its massive individual thrust output.

[00:01:37]Now, let's talk about speed. Kaan has the edge here with a top speed of around Mach 1.8, while the F-35 reaches about Mach 1.6.

[00:01:51]>> [music] >> In terms of cost, Kaan doesn't have an official confirmed price yet, but early estimates suggest 80 to 120 million dollars, with costs expected to decrease over time. The F-35 currently sits at around 80 to 100 million dollars per aircraft, depending on the variant and package.

[00:02:15]Looking at wing loading, the F-35 has a higher wing loading of around 526 kg per square meter, compared to Kaan's 485 kg per square meter.

[00:02:27]This difference can influence maneuverability and lift characteristics, potentially giving Kaan an advantage in certain flight conditions.

[00:02:38]Now, for hard points, the F-35 features four internal and six external stations.

[00:02:44]In comparison, Kaan offers greater flexibility with eight internal and six external hard points.

[00:02:57]Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II combat range is around 1,000 to 1,100 km.

[00:03:05]While Kaan estimated combat range is around 1,100 to 1,500 km.

[00:03:15]Moving to production, the F-35 is already in mass production with over 150 aircraft built every year.

[00:03:24]Kaan, on the other hand, is still developing and is not yet in serial production, with deliveries expected to begin around 2029.

[00:03:36]Looking at global presence, the F-35 dominates the skies with nearly 1,300 aircraft in service [music] worldwide, making it the most widely deployed fifth-generation fighter.

[00:03:48]Kaan is just [music] entering the export market with Indonesia ordering 48 jets and growing interest from countries like Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.

[00:04:01]In terms of development progress, the F-35 program is highly mature with continuous upgrades like Block 4 enhancements already underway.

[00:04:10]Kaan is advancing rapidly with multiple prototypes planned, but it is still working on critical areas like engines, stealth, [music] and system integration.

[00:04:23]The F-35 uses the fully developed and combat-proven F135 engine >> [music] >> delivering reliable high performance.

[00:04:32]Kaan currently depends on G F110 engines, while its indigenous engine is still under development. And when we look at program scale, the F-35 is a massive global initiative with thousands of aircraft planned and decades of support infrastructure.

[00:04:48]Kaan is a growing national program aiming for around 250 to 300 aircraft, including exports. [music] So, what's the final take?

[00:05:02]The F-35 clearly dominates today's battlefield with proven performance, advanced technology, and unmatched global scale.

[00:05:11]But Kaan represents something equally important, Turkey's bold ambition to build a next-generation fighter and reduce dependence on foreign systems.

[00:05:20]It offers a promising future alternative, but for now, it still has years to go before reaching the same level as the F-35.

[00:05:31]So, the real question is, will Kaan eventually close the gap? Or will the F-35 continue to rule the skies?

[00:05:39]Let me know what you think.

[00:05:40]And don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more deep defense comparisons.