Breaking News: Türkiye's TAI Outlines Plan to Produce 1,500 aircraft - drones - helicopters by 2034.

On May 24, 2025, at a press briefing held at the Kahramankazan facilities of Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ), CEO Mehmet Demiroğlu unveiled the company’s roadmap to produce 1,500 military air platforms by 2034, an ambitious plan that spans fighter jets, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles, all within the broader framework of Türkiye’s national defense industrialization strategy. This long-term vision, which includes the mass production of the KAAN fifth-generation fighter, the ANKA-3 stealth UCAV, and the long-anticipated ATAK 2 heavy attack helicopter, is set to drastically reshape Türkiye’s role in the global aerospace and defense sector.
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TUSAŞ’s 10-year plan to manufacture 1,500 air platforms, including cutting-edge fighters, advanced rotorcraft, and autonomous systems, is more than an industrial target; it’s a geopolitical statement (Picture Source: TAI)

Demiroğlu’s announcement comes at a time when Ankara is pressing ahead with its policy of defense autonomy and international competitiveness, aiming not only to reduce foreign dependency but also to offer scalable alternatives in a rapidly evolving security environment. At the core of the program lies the KAAN combat aircraft, of which 500 units, along with the HÜRJET advanced trainer and HÜRKUŞ basic trainer, are scheduled for production. These systems represent not just industrial prowess but also an integrated response to air dominance challenges. Among the most symbolic developments is the revival of Türkiye’s heavy attack helicopter ambitions through the ATAK 2 program. After years of conceptual hesitation, the country is now resolutely committed to this segment, with the platform expected to significantly enhance deep strike and close support capabilities. In parallel, the next-generation stealth drone ANKA-3 will be produced at nearly 600 units, forming a new operational backbone for unmanned air warfare in Türkiye and abroad.

The forecasted breakdown points to 500 fixed-wing aircraft (KAAN, HÜRJET, HÜRKUŞ), over 350 rotary-wing platforms (GÖKBEY, ATAK, ATAK 2), and about 600 unmanned aerial systems (ANKA-1, ANKA-3, AKSUNGUR). This scale of production, averaging 150 airframes annually, positions TUSAŞ among a limited circle of aerospace manufacturers with such sustained throughput. Few countries, outside of the United States and China, have managed similar volumes in a single decade. For instance, France and Sweden combined did not produce this many combat and support aircraft in the past ten years, while South Korea’s similar KF-21 Boramae fighter project, although advanced, has yet to reach comparable serial production targets. These figures highlight both the ambition and the challenge ahead.

Crucial to this trajectory is the creation of a robust domestic industrial ecosystem. TUSAŞ currently employs nearly 16,000 personnel, having recruited over 10,000 people in the last decade. The company is expanding globally, with operational offices in the U.S., Europe, Asia, and soon in Africa and Latin America. Its supply chain strategy is deeply anchored in localization: over 125 indigenization programs have been completed, and more than 330 remain active. These efforts are projected to retain $1 billion annually within Türkiye by replacing imports, enhancing the financial sustainability of the program. In logistics and services, TUSAŞ anticipates its biggest future revenue stream, with a dedicated focus on rapid support and parts provisioning, a critical component for maintaining such a high platform count in operational condition.

From a strategic standpoint, the implications of this plan are considerable. The KAAN fighter jet is intended to replace older-generation fighters and enable Türkiye to maintain air superiority without relying on external suppliers. This is particularly relevant amid ongoing uncertainties in U.S.-Türkiye defense trade relations. Similarly, the ATAK 2 provides a solution tailored to national requirements, especially given restrictions on exportable Western helicopters. ANKA-3, with its low observability and payload versatility, adds a layer of asymmetric capability to Türkiye’s defense doctrine. In a broader context, the program strengthens Ankara’s hand in NATO, enables deeper defense diplomacy with emerging partners like Pakistan, Malaysia, or Nigeria, and reinforces Türkiye’s defense industrial sovereignty.

Financially, the company’s evolution has been notable. From $3 billion in 2024, TUSAŞ aims to reach $4.3 billion in 2025 and ultimately $12 billion by 2034, figures that match the pace of industrial output. Key orders already support this outlook: 55 HÜRKUŞ trainers (with 10 deliveries expected in 2025), 16 HÜRJETs for the Turkish Air Force, and an agreement with Spain that could lead to over 100 units. The KAAN program is progressing steadily, with three prototypes set to fly by early 2026 and deliveries beginning in batches from late 2028.

TUSAŞ’s 10-year plan to manufacture 1,500 air platforms, including cutting-edge fighters, advanced rotorcraft, and autonomous systems, is more than an industrial target; it’s a geopolitical statement. It marks Türkiye’s transition from a regional defense player to a global aerospace manufacturer capable of competing in both technology and scale. By aligning national strategy, economic resources, and technological capacity, Türkiye is redefining its defense paradigm for the decade ahead.