Turkey's domestically developed fifth-generation fighter jet, KAAN, conducted its successful maiden test flight at Murted Airfield in the capital city of Ankara. The Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) oversaw the 13-minute flight, piloted by Turkish test pilot Barbaros Demirbas. KAAN, aimed at replacing Turkey's aging fleet of fighter jets, boasts advanced capabilities for air-to-air combat and precision strikes.

Prior to its maiden flight, KAAN underwent a series of rigorous tests, including launch seat tests, full-length static tests, landing gear tests, avionic system tests, fuel tests, engine start-up tests, and taxiing tests. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hailed the achievement as a significant milestone in Turkey's defense industry, promising further advancements in the field.

Temel Kotil, the head of TAI, provided details of the flight, stating that KAAN reached a speed of 230 knots at an altitude of 8,000 feet during the test. Mehmet Fatih Kacir, Turkey's industry and technology minister, celebrated the achievement, referring to KAAN as "Turks' steel wings in the sky." Haluk Gorgun, the head of Turkey's Defense Industries Presidency, emphasized KAAN's role in bringing advanced technologies to the country, positioning Turkey among the few nations with fifth-generation fighter jet capabilities.

KAAN is equipped with state-of-the-art features, enabling it to engage in air-to-air combat with new-generation weapons, conduct precision strikes at supersonic speeds from internal weapon mounts, and enhance combat power with AI and neural network support. The successful maiden flight marks a significant milestone in Turkey's defense industry, with KAAN poised to contribute to the country's military capabilities. The project, initiated in 2016, saw KAAN officially unveiled in March 2023, with its maiden flight taking place in February 2024. President Erdogan had announced the name KAAN for the aircraft in May 2023, solidifying its place as a symbol of Turkey's advancement in aerospace technology.