Ukraine seeks future purchase of Turkish fifth-generation fighter jets, Ambassador says

Ukraine is working on an engine for the aircraft

The ambassador has reported that this is not a new idea; negotiations started before the war. Ukraine has several companies with different experiences in engine design. Bodnar also clarifies that there is a kind of consortium of Ukrainian companies competing for this engine with other international and domestic manufacturers.

"However, Ukraine has experience and a good partnership label, and we can quickly produce equipment with the characteristics necessary for this aircraft. Creating such a project will also bring significant benefits to the Turkish side. Having its own production based on new technologies is progress not only in strengthening security and defense but also in competitiveness in the markets," the ambassador says.

Ukraine wants to buy these planes in the future

Bodnar adds that KAAN has the full potential to compete with the F-35 and F-22, and this is the future story.

"So, as we have already discussed, if we succeed in preventing the influence of third parties both in the East and in the West, we will be one of the strongest in the region," he adds.

Replying to the journalist's question about the possibility of buying KAAN in the future, the ambassador says that Ukraine will not only buy but also use it.

"We also know where to use it," he concludes.

KAAN

A Turkish fifth-generation fighter jet project developed by the state-owned aerospace company Türk Havacılık ve Uzay Sanayii.

Three possible design options were presented in May 2013 at the International Defense Exhibition IDEF-2013 in Istanbul. The program's cost could reach $10 billion.

Türkiye and its attitude towards Russia's war against Ukraine

Türkiye has taken an ambiguous position since the beginning of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. On the one hand, the country declares its support for Ukraine's territorial integrity, but on the other hand, Türkiye has decided not to join the sanctions and periodically holds official dialogues with the Kremlin.

In August 2022, it was reported that the Turkish government supplied 50 Kirpi anti-mine armored vehicles to the Ukrainian military.

Also, in October, it became known that the Turkish private arms manufacturer Canik was supplying hundreds of large-caliber machine guns to Ukraine, which can be combined with armored vehicles.