Turkey wants its fifth-generation fighter to fly to war with a robot wingman on each shoulder.
At the World Defense Show 2026, Turkish Aerospace Industries unveiled a manned-unmanned teaming concept that pairs the KAAN fighter with two Anka III stealth combat drones. In the demonstration, the trio rolled out of a hangar together, flew coordinated manoeuvres, and ran a strike — the pilot acting as the quarterback while the drones did the risky work.
It is Turkey's clearest statement yet that it intends to join the very small club of nations building a complete next-generation air-combat system, not just a new jet.
Quick Facts
- Manned aircraft: TAI KAAN, Turkey’s fifth-generation fighter
- Unmanned wingmen: two Anka III stealth combat drones
- Concept: manned-unmanned teaming, pilot supervises targeting and engagement
- Revealed: World Defense Show 2026
- Why it matters: joins the US, China and Europe in pursuing "loyal wingman" warfare
The Quarterback and the Receivers
The idea behind loyal-wingman teaming is simple and brutal: send cheap, expendable, stealthy drones into the most dangerous airspace, and keep the expensive jet and its irreplaceable pilot further back, directing the fight. The KAAN supervises communication, targeting and weapons release; the Anka III drones scout, jam, and strike.
Turkey's Bigger Bet
The reveal is as much industrial as it is military. Locked out of the F-35 program in 2019, Turkey doubled down on building its own stealth fighter and a family of increasingly capable drones — an industry that has already made Bayraktar a household name. Teaming the KAAN with the Anka III ties those two strands together into a single combat package Turkey can field, and export, on its own terms.
There is a long road from a slick hangar demonstration to a drone reliably taking orders from a fighter in combat. But the direction is unmistakable: the future Turkey is building has a human in the cockpit and machines flying into the teeth of the threat.
Sources: Turkish Aerospace Industries; Army Recognition; Shephard Media; Asian Military Review.
Related Questions
What is the KAAN fighter jet?
The KAAN is Turkey's fifth-generation stealth fighter, developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI). Designed to rival aircraft such as the F-35, it is the centrepiece of Turkey's effort to build a complete next-generation air-combat system. Turkey is also developing an indigenous F-35-class engine to power it.
What is manned-unmanned teaming?
Manned-unmanned teaming pairs a crewed fighter with autonomous combat drones that fly alongside it. The pilot acts as a "quarterback", directing the drones to scout, strike or absorb risk while the human stays back from the most dangerous tasks. Turkey demonstrated the concept by pairing the KAAN with two Anka III drones.
What is the Anka III?
The Anka III is a Turkish stealth combat drone designed to operate as a "loyal wingman" alongside crewed fighters. In Turkey's World Defense Show 2026 demonstration, two Anka III drones flew coordinated manoeuvres with a KAAN fighter and carried out a simulated strike under the pilot's supervision, showing how drones can take on the riskiest work.
What is a "loyal wingman" drone?
A loyal wingman is an uncrewed combat aircraft that flies in formation with a piloted fighter and takes direction from the human pilot. It can scout ahead, jam defences or attack targets, extending the manned jet's reach while reducing risk to the pilot. The US, China and Europe are all pursuing similar systems.
Which countries are building next-generation air-combat systems?
A small group of nations is building complete next-generation air-combat systems that combine crewed fighters with autonomous drones, including the United States, China and European partners. With its KAAN fighter and Anka III drones, Turkey has signalled its intent to join this exclusive club rather than simply field a new jet.
What is the World Defense Show?
The World Defense Show is a major international defence exhibition where militaries and manufacturers unveil new equipment. At the 2026 edition, Turkish Aerospace Industries revealed its manned-unmanned teaming concept, rolling out the KAAN fighter together with two Anka III drones and demonstrating coordinated flight and a simulated strike.
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