DefenseTurkey Moves Forward with Eurofighter Typhoon Deal as UK and Germany Signal Support
Turkey is inching closer to finalizing a deal to acquire up to 40 Eurofighter Typhoon jets, with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announcing that both the United Kingdom and Germany have adopted a “positive” position on the matter — and that Ankara is eager to wrap up the negotiation promptly.
The procurement involves a consortium made up of Airbus, BAE Systems, and Leonardo, representing Germany, the UK, Italy, and Spain. London has expressed clear support, and all partners except Germany have officially backed the deal, though the process has remained in limbo for several months.
“The British and Germans are approaching this issue positively. God willing, I believe we will receive our jets as soon as possible,” Erdoğan told reporters aboard a flight returning from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
At the recent NATO summit, Erdoğan held discussions with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz—both described as encouraging in terms of the prospective sale.
BAE Systems also voiced confidence in securing new Eurofighter orders from countries such as Turkey, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia in the near future.
Despite fielding NATO’s second-largest army, Turkey has historically faced arms embargoes, prompting a major push toward defense self-reliance.
Over the past two decades, the nation has developed domestic drone, missile, vehicle, and naval production capabilities—and is now working on its own fifth-generation fighter jet called KAAN.
The KAAN program aims to replace Turkey’s aging F‑16 fleet, scheduled for retirement from the 2030s onward. Serial production is expected to launch in 2028.
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