Indonesian Aerospace has deepened ties with Turkey’s defence aerospace industry amid Jakarta’s plans to obtain Turkish Aerospace (TAI) Kaan fighters.

The company – also known as PTDI – signed a raft of agreements with Turkish firms at the recent International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF) in Istanbul.

“Our collaborations with Turkey’s defence companies – including Havelsan, Aselsan, and Turkish Aerospace –represent a forward step in enhancing our technological capabilities and global competitiveness,” says Gita Amperiawan, president director of Indonesian Aerospace.

The agreements include a framework deal with TAI that will see Indonesia’s aerospace sector involved in the development and production of Kaan components, with a focus on technology transfer to Indonesia.

In a major boost for TAI’s developmental Kaan, Jakarta signed a contract at the IDEF show for 48 examples to be delivered over the next decade. The contract makes Indonesia the second customer for the developmental twin-engined type, after Turkey.

The programme will help Indonesia advance its capabilities in avionics and fighter design, while supporting its engineering and manufacturing base. Indonesian Aerospace also expects its work on the Kaan to enhance Indonesia’s role in the global aerospace supply chain.

In addition, Indonesian Aerospace signed several agreements with Havelsan to cooperate on maritime patrol and maritime surveillance aircraft.

The company already has extensive experience in this field through its work converting Airbus Defence & Space CN235 tactical transports – which it produces under licence – into maritime patrol aircraft.

Between 2003 and 2015, it converted six CN235s into anti-submarine warfare aircraft for the Turkish navy, and three into maritime surveillance aircraft for the Turkish coast guard.

The two companies also reaffirmed plans to develop a full-flight simulator for the CN235-220. And Indonesian Aerospace reiterated its commitment to work with Havelsan on a potential airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft for Indonesia and Turkey.

At the 2024 Bali Airshow, Amperiawan told FlightGlobal that his company was exploring an AEW&C project with Havelsan, which played a key role in Ankara’s Boeing E-7 Peace Eagle programme.

A separate agreement with Aselsan relates to in-service CN235s, specifically improving operational readiness through upgrades, enhanced logistics, and technical cooperation.