Turkish “Kan” fighters attract global interest – Spain, Egypt and the UAE show great attention to joining the ghost plane project
Arab Defense website-August 15, 2025: For years, Lockheed Martin has promoted its F-35 Litening I fighter as the most advanced in the world within the fifth generation, thanks to its integration between hidden techniques, advanced sensors, and network war capabilities. However, this bright image hides a series of controversy and technical problems and a great rise in operating costs, which prompted a number of countries to reconsider their participation in the program.
One of the most prominent reasons that prompted some countries to abandon the F-35 is the high costs of operating them in a way that much exceeds preliminary estimates. A report issued by the US Government Accountability Office indicated that the cost of one flight watch for the fighter reaches tens of thousands of dollars, to exceed expectations. Besides, the fighter suffers from frequent technical problems, starting with the instability of software and logistics systems, to problems in the performance of the engine, which was reflected in the decrease in its combat readiness from the targeted levels.
One of the most prominent shortcomings that has caused criticism is the integrated logistical system known as Alis, which is characterized by frequent malfunctions and requires long maintenance periods, which reduces the plane’s readiness for immediate use in emergency situations. The operating countries also expressed their dissatisfaction with the total dependence on the United States in maintenance and software modernization, which restricts their operational sovereignty, and raises strategic concerns, especially among countries that wish to completely control their air fleets away from Washington’s political decisions.
With the escalation of geopolitical tensions, several countries began to search for more flexible and lowest alternatives, while maintaining advanced combat capabilities. A recent example of this is Spain, which was part of the F-35 program to meet the needs of its air and sea forces, but recently decided to direct its attention towards other options. Madrid surprised the observers by announcing its cooperation with Türkiye in the “Kan” (or Qen) fighter project from the fifth -generation, which is developing Turkish air industries (Tai). This fighter, previously known as TFX, has become a symbol of Türkiye’s defensive ambition, comes with hiding techniques, advanced airline electronics, and integration of modern local armament systems.
For Spain, the “Kan” project provides several strategic advantages, including the flexibility of industrial cooperation that allows Spanish companies to participate in production operations, in addition to the decrease in the costs of acquisition and operation compared to the F-35, which enhances the sustainability of the long-term defense budget. The growing diplomatic relations between Madrid and Ankara open the door to a broader technology transfer, which is difficult to obtain from the United States through the F-35 program.
Egypt is also close to joining the project of developing the Turkish ghost “Qen” from the fifth generation, which is one of the most important strategic defense projects for Ankara, and is seen as a local alternative to the F-35 plane that Turkey has been deprived of obtaining an American decision after purchasing the Russian air defense system S-400.
According to Tactical Report, which specializes in intelligence affairs in the Middle East and North Africa, the features of the Egyptian interest in the project began during President Abdel Fattah El -Sisi’s visit to Turkey in September last year, as he expressed a clear desire to identify the fighter developed by the Turkish Air and Space Industries Company (Tai). An Egyptian military team had an opportunity to examine the initial model of the plane, which is scheduled to enter the service in 2030.
It is estimated that the end of 2025 may witness the signing of a memorandum of understanding that establishes an official partnership between Cairo and Ankara in the “Qen” development program, determining Egypt’s role in the project, and the local authorities that will participate in development and production.
The United Arab Emirates, in turn, was in the circle of interest in this context. It initially showed interest in buying the F-35, but the deal stumbled due to Washington’s geopolitical factors and fears of Abu Dhabi’s relations with China. Instead, the UAE went to search for alternative partners in Asia, as it started exploring cooperation with South Korea in a combat program KF-21 BoramiIt is developed by the Korean Air Industries Company with the support of Indonesia. This fighter, ranked within the 4.5+ generation with plans to develop it to the fifth generation, provides an attractive mix of modern technology, production opportunities and joint research.
But the biggest surprise was the UAE’s announcement of its public interest in the Turkish “Kan” project, in a move that reflects its recognition of the rapid development achieved by the Turkish defense industries during the last decade, and turned it into one of the most prominent weapons manufacturers globally. Abu Dhabi sees in “Kan” a strategic alternative that gives it advanced combat capabilities, with extensive opportunities for industrial cooperation and technology transfer, benefiting from the remarkable improvement in Turkish-Emirati relations in recent years, creating an appropriate environment for major defense partnerships.
This trend reflects the fact that the F-35 monopoly as the one-generation weapon of the only generation in global markets has become threatened. The countries are in front of wider options, from the South Korean KF-21 to the Turkish “Kan”, all of which provide a mixture of competitive prices, advanced technology, and operational freedom. For Spain, the shift towards “Kan” is consistent with its orientation to enhance European and Atlantic defense relations away from American hegemony, while the UAE seeks through its double strategy, to explore both the KF-21 and “Kan”, to avoid dependence on one resource.
This scene pushes other countries to reassess their F-35 investments with more competitors. Opponents of the F-35 criticize its excessive complexity, which makes it vulnerable to technical and logistical problems, while “Kan” and KF-21 are designed with a standular approach that allows gradual and adapted technical updates, which is more sustainable in terms of cost and combat readiness.
Türkiye’s success in attracting Spain, Egypt and the UAE to the “Kan” project is a major defensive diplomatic achievement, and enhances the feasibility of its investments in research and development. The participation of these countries may accelerate the pace of production, reduce the cost of unity, and raise the competitiveness of the fighting in the global market. And if the cooperation is successful, “Kan” may become one of the fifth generation fighters produced in significant quantities outside the framework of the United States and Russia, which may change the balance of air forces globally and create a new balance in the defense industry market.
In the end, the F-35 is no longer a single symbol of aerial superiority, but rather has become one of several options in a severe competitive environment. The decision of Egypt, Spain and the UAE sends a clear message that diversification of armament sources is a strategic step to reduce dependence on one resource, in a transformation that reflects that sovereignty, cost and flexibility has become decisive factors that go beyond mere technological luster.
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