DefenseTurkey in Talks With Qatar Over Used Eurofighter Typhoons, Reports Say
The Turkish government is reportedly in negotiations with Qatar for the potential acquisition of used Eurofighter Typhoon jets, as confirmed by defense sources familiar with ongoing talks in Doha involving senior Turkish officials.
Ankara has not publicly acknowledged these discussions, which come amid stalled efforts to secure new F-16 Block 70s and associated F-110 engines from the United States.
Turkey is seeking to fill a capability gap created by delays in modernizing its fighter fleet. The country’s air force faces increasing obsolescence as its F-16 inventory ages, prompting a search for interim solutions until the domestically developed KAAN fighter becomes operational in the next decade.
Recent meetings in Doha included Turkish Defense Minister Yaşar Güler and Air Force Commander General Ziya Cemal Kadıoğlu, who engaged with Qatari defense counterparts to discuss the possible transfer. Qatar currently operates 24 Typhoons and has ordered 12 more, enabling the potential for swift delivery should an agreement be reached.
Any transfer of Qatari Typhoons would require approval from the Eurofighter consortium, which comprises Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Spain. Stakeholders have expressed openness to the transaction, viewing Turkey as a prospective customer for future Tranche 4 upgrades, although no formal agreement has been announced.
Turkey’s pursuit of Eurofighters follows its removal from the F-35 program in 2019, which left a significant capability gap. Analysts caution that short-term acquisitions may be costly and urge prioritization of F-16 upgrades, given the uncertain timeline for KAAN production. Negotiations with the UK for new Eurofighters have stalled over price concerns, further complicating Ankara’s modernization efforts.
About the Author
Ricardo Meier
Creator of the website that started in 1996 as a magazine. He also writes on Brazilian websites AUTOO, MOTOO and MetrôCPTM.
