Indigenous Turkish TF35000 Engine To Power Kaan Fifth-Generation Stealth Fighter.
n May 15, 2025, TEI (TUSAŞ Engine Industries), the Turkish state-backed aerospace engine manufacturer, published the first official image and technical data of the TF35000, a new indigenous turbofan engine developed to power Türkiye’s fifth-generation fighter aircraft, the KAAN. Developed under the auspices of the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB), the TF35000 belongs to the category of military turbofan engines and aims to fulfill the key concept of technological sovereignty in high-thrust propulsion systems. This new engine, with its targeted output of 35,000 pounds of thrust, challenges existing Western jet engines and symbolizes Türkiye’s leap into advanced aerospace self-reliance.
he TF35000 is a next-generation military turbofan engine developed by TEI to meet the propulsion requirements of Türkiye’s indigenous fifth-generation fighter, KAAN. Designed with an emphasis on delivering 35,000 pounds of thrust, the engine incorporates advanced aerospace engineering features including high-temperature-resistant superalloys, advanced thermal barrier coatings, and innovative cooling technologies. According to Army Recognition, it is Türkiye’s most powerful domestically produced engine to date, intended to provide not only superior thrust but also enhanced endurance and fuel efficiency for extended-range missions. With a fully indigenous design, the TF35000 represents a strategic turning point for the Turkish defense aerospace industry and is tailored to meet the demanding requirements of stealthy and supersonic fifth-generation platforms.
TEI’s unveiling of the TF35000 marks a major milestone in the country's pursuit of independence in defense technologies, particularly in aviation propulsion, an area traditionally dominated by a handful of NATO member states. As geopolitical tensions rise and supply chain constraints become more frequent, especially in sensitive military technologies, the creation of a fully indigenous high-thrust engine signals both resilience and ambition. With fifth-generation air combat becoming a dominant operational doctrine, Türkiye positions itself not just as a consumer, but as a capable developer of next-generation powerplants. The relevance of this development extends beyond technical achievement, it has profound implications for Türkiye’s strategic autonomy and NATO's broader capabilities in contested airspaces.
The TF35000 is the culmination of nearly two decades of aerospace propulsion work by TEI, which has previously produced critical subsystems and components for engines like the T700 turboshaft (used on Turkish Black Hawks and T129 ATAK helicopters) and developed the TS1400 for indigenous rotorcraft. The development roadmap of the TF35000 involved substantial investments in high-performance materials, testing infrastructure, and digital design platforms. With this foundation, TEI created an integrated ecosystem capable of not only designing but also manufacturing and testing such a complex engine entirely within Türkiye. This comprehensive domestic capability sets the TF35000 apart from many regional projects, which often rely on foreign assembly or integration support.
Compared to other engines used in fifth-generation aircraft, such as the General Electric F110, currently powering KAAN prototypes and legacy F-16s, the TF35000 offers similar thrust levels with the strategic advantage of full sovereignty. While the F110 is a proven and reliable engine, it remains under U.S. export control, limiting operational independence. In contrast, the TF35000 is being developed entirely by Turkish engineers using domestic materials and proprietary technologies, granting Türkiye complete authority over its upgrades, maintenance, and integration with other national systems. Targeting 35,000 lbf of thrust, the TF35000 matches the output of the F-22’s Pratt & Whitney F119 and exceeds engines like the Eurofighter Typhoon’s EJ200 (26,000 lbf), the Rafale’s M88 (17,000–20,000 lbf), and the F110 variants used on the F-16 and F-15 (up to 29,000 lbf). Only the F-35’s F135, with 43,000 lbf in afterburner, surpasses it, placing the TF35000 firmly within the top tier of military turbofan engines and offering Türkiye a domestically controlled propulsion system competitive with the most advanced NATO platforms.
Strategically, the TF35000 carries immense geopolitical weight. By equipping the KAAN with an indigenous engine, Türkiye reduces its reliance on U.S. or European suppliers, a necessity underscored by recent frictions within NATO and embargoes over arms transfers. This engine is not just a technical asset but a political tool that reinforces Türkiye’s stance on defense autonomy. It strengthens NATO’s southeastern flank by ensuring the availability of high-performance aircraft even during times of strained alliance politics. Moreover, it provides Türkiye with an exportable engine platform that could serve allied air forces seeking alternatives to Western propulsion systems, especially those operating outside U.S. political orbit.
TEI’s release of the TF35000 represents more than the unveiling of a new engine, it is a declaration of strategic intent. With 35,000 pounds of thrust, fifth-generation readiness, and a design tailored for both domestic use and potential export, the TF35000 embodies Türkiye’s resolve to stand among the world’s leading aerospace powers. This program is not only a leap in technological competence but also a reinforcement of national sovereignty, industrial capability, and NATO's collective deterrence. In a world where air dominance is increasingly shaped by those who own the propulsion core, Türkiye’s TF35000 sets a new precedent.
https://www.armyrecognition.com/news/aerospace-news/2025/indigenous-turkish-tf35000-engine-to-power-kaan-fifth-generation-stealth-fighter
