As part of its efforts to modernize its air force, Turkey announced its interest in Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets in 2022, accelerating its work in this area. After the crisis with the F-35 program, Ankara, in search of alternatives, has established close contacts with the United Kingdom and Spain to overcome Germany’s export restrictions.
Procurement Timeline: A Roadmap from 2022 to 2030
2022-2023: Turkey began diplomatic contacts with the United Kingdom and Spain to overcome Germany’s objections regarding the Eurofighter procurement.
November 2023: President Erdoğan met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz during the UN General Assembly to discuss the Eurofighter agenda.
November 2024: Germany approved the sale, and Turkey officially presented its technical requirements.
January-March 2025: Turkey received the official offer from the UK Ministry of Defence and began the evaluation process.
Turkey’s procurement plan includes 20 used Tranche 1 and 20 newly manufactured Tranche 4 Eurofighter Typhoon jets. These jets are planned to be delivered gradually, with full service expected by 2030.
Political Tensions: Coalition Dilemma in Germany
There are differences of opinion between the CDU and SPD parties on the Eurofighter export. The CDU is more favorable towards the sale, taking into account consortium compatibility, while the SPD is in favor of pressuring Turkey on human rights and democratic values. This situation is seen as a reflection of the long-standing uncertainty in Germany’s arms export policies.
The Eurofighter Typhoon program is a joint defense initiative involving Germany, the UK, Spain, and Italy. Berlin’s restrictive export policies have attracted criticism, particularly from the UK and France.
Turkish Air Force Modernization Strategy
Having been excluded from the F-35 program, Turkey has sought to strengthen its air power through different sources:
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F-16 Block 70: Turkey signed a $1.4 billion deal for 40 new-generation F-16s and the modernization of its existing fleet.
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National Combat Aircraft (KAAN): The locally produced fifth-generation fighter jet KAAN successfully completed its first flight in February 2024.
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Meteor Missiles: Turkey plans to procure about 400 Meteor missiles for the Eurofighter jets from MBDA. While France approved the sale, Greece raised security concerns.
The Ministry of National Defense also aims to integrate the domestic Gökhan missile system with these two air-to-air missiles.
Turkey’s F-35 Initiative on the Agenda
Recently, Turkish officials have expressed their intention to rejoin the F-35 program. Defense Ministry sources indicated that the program could be revived if the CAATSA sanctions are lifted. In this context, both parties agreed to start technical-level talks with the United States.
Eurofighter Airshow in Ankara
On December 18, 2024, two British Eurofighter Typhoon jets landed at the Mürted Airbase Command near Ankara, once again highlighting Turkey’s interest. The demonstration flight was of critical importance for evaluating technical and tactical features.
Defense Minister Yaşar Güler stated on December 14, “Technical discussions regarding Eurofighter procurement are progressing positively.”
İmamoğlu Crisis: A Halt on the Sale in Berlin
According to the German press, the interim government led by the Social Democrats and Greens suspended the export license, citing the arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu on corruption charges. Berlin labeled this development as an “attack on Turkish democracy.” Among the accusations against İmamoğlu, the controversial villa sales allegedly linked to his family’s company stand out.
These political developments have led Germany to reassess its stance on defense exports to Turkey. Former Chancellor Scholz had previously stated, “Turkey is a NATO member, and in this context, decisions regarding arms procurement are being made.” However, this stance was reversed after İmamoğlu’s arrest.
Source: turkiyetoday
