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Polymer scientist Kırlıkovalı says Türkiye could enter top six in 5–6 years
Turkish scientist Ergün Kırlıkovalı, known as the inventor of the polymers that give B-2 and F-35 fighter jets stealth capabilities, said Türkiye's defense industry could comfortably rank among the world's top six countries within 5–6 years. The project that most impressed Kırlıkovalı was KAAN.
Polymer scientist and entrepreneur Ergün Kırlıkovalı said Türkiye's defense industry could comfortably rank among the world's top six countries within 5–6 years. Kırlıkovalı, who attended Sivas Cumhuriyet University's “Build the Future” career program and briefed high school and university students on entrepreneurship and innovation, spoke to İhlas News Agency (İHA) after the program.
“I was very impressed by the developments I saw in Türkiye's defense industry,” Kırlıkovalı said, describing the work being carried out as “truly 21st-century efforts.” He said the people he knew in the sector were highly successful and exceptionally competent, adding that if this pace continued, Türkiye would soon join the world's leading defense industries.
“KAAN is advancing toward the sixth, not the fifth, generation”
Kırlıkovalı said the defense project that had attracted his greatest attention was the national combat aircraft KAAN: “It currently uses a foreign engine, but once it uses a Turkish engine and receives a few minor refinements, it will advance toward the sixth rather than the fifth generation.” The Turkish scientist also noted that KAAN had been designed from the outset with the ability to fly alongside drone swarms, a capability now being added to aircraft such as the F-22.
Developed by TUSAŞ, KAAN made its maiden flight in February 2024. Foreign engines are being used in the aircraft's prototypes, while work on developing a national engine continues.
The name behind stealth coatings
Kırlıkovalı is known for his work on interpenetrating polymer networks (IPN) technology. The Turkish scientist was introduced at the program in Sivas as “the inventor of the polymers that give B-2 and F-35 fighter jets stealth capabilities.” The polymer technologies he developed are used in coatings that reduce radar visibility.
Video: İHA. Photos: From the Sivas Cumhuriyet University program and Wikimedia Commons (archive)
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