Türkiye is making rapid moves to expedite the planned purchase of Eurofighter Typhoon jets, signaling its commitment to upgrading its air defense capabilities amid growing regional and international security concerns. A high-ranking Turkish defense ministry official confirmed that talks are progressing at a technical level, aiming to finalize a deal with the Eurofighter consortium—despite initial resistance from key partners like Germany. The Eurofighter Typhoon, a state-of-the-art multi-role fighter jet developed by a consortium of European nations, could be a crucial addition to Türkiye’s air force as it continues to modernize its military.
The confirmation of Türkiye’s efforts to speed up the Eurofighter deal comes at a critical juncture in its relations with European NATO allies. This potential acquisition, alongside a recent agreement with the United States for F-16 fighter jets, signals a concerted push by Ankara to strengthen its defense apparatus.
For over a year, Türkiye has been engaged in discussions with the Eurofighter consortium members—principally the UK, Spain, Germany, and Italy—regarding the purchase of Typhoon jets. Despite the strategic importance of the deal, negotiations initially faced hurdles, particularly due to opposition from Germany. Concerns about regional stability, the human rights record of Türkiye, and its defense policies have complicated the process, particularly for Berlin.
Germany’s reservations reportedly stemmed from concerns about Türkiye’s internal politics, including its military operations in northern Syria, as well as broader EU-NATO dynamics. Berlin has traditionally exercised caution in defense deals with countries involved in complex regional conflicts. However, Turkish officials, frustrated by the pace of negotiations, have worked hard to overcome these objections, citing the need for modern military hardware to maintain a credible deterrent and fulfill NATO obligations.
Last month, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz during the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where defense cooperation was likely discussed. The leaders are scheduled to meet again in Istanbul on October 19th, a summit that is widely expected to focus on resolving the remaining issues around the Eurofighter Typhoon deal.
On Thursday, when asked about Türkiye’s interest in the fighter jets, Chancellor Scholz confirmed that the topic would indeed be on the agenda during his upcoming talks with Erdoğan. Scholz emphasized the importance of cooperation within NATO and stated, “Of course, we always discuss the supply of weapons to our NATO partner,” acknowledging that the UK, another key member of the consortium, is currently leading discussions with Ankara over the potential sale.
This diplomatic momentum could pave the way for Germany to soften its stance, especially if other consortium members push for an agreement.
The Eurofighter Typhoon is regarded as one of the most advanced multi-role combat aircraft in the world, capable of performing air superiority and ground-attack missions with equal proficiency. Its ability to integrate seamlessly into NATO operations makes it an attractive option for Türkiye, which is striving to modernize its military amid geopolitical challenges in its immediate neighborhood.
The Eurofighter Typhoon’s cutting-edge technologies, such as advanced radar systems, enhanced situational awareness, and exceptional maneuverability, make it an ideal asset for air defense in contested regions like the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East, where Türkiye faces challenges from both state and non-state actors.
For Ankara, acquiring the Typhoon jets is more than a mere addition to its fleet; it is part of a broader defense strategy to maintain air superiority and to ensure it can operate in complex multi-theater environments. As a NATO member, Türkiye views this acquisition as a means to reinforce its commitments to the alliance, particularly in areas such as air patrols and joint defense missions.
The Typhoon jets would also supplement Türkiye’s existing fleet, which includes aging American-made F-16s. The Turkish air force has been heavily reliant on the F-16s for decades, and the Typhoon jets would provide a necessary upgrade in capabilities, allowing the country to remain competitive in the evolving landscape of aerial warfare.
While the Eurofighter deal is significant, it is just one component of Türkiye’s broader defense modernization agenda. Ankara has been actively pursuing a multi-pronged strategy to diversify its military hardware sources, reducing over-reliance on any single supplier. This strategy became more pronounced after the fallout with the United States over Türkiye’s purchase of the Russian-made S-400 air defense system, which led to Türkiye being excluded from the F-35 program.
To compensate for this, Türkiye has pursued alternative partnerships and focused on developing its own indigenous defense technologies. In addition to the Eurofighter deal, Ankara recently signed an agreement with Washington to acquire 40 F-16 fighter jets and 79 modernization kits to upgrade its existing fleet. This deal, which had faced delays due to objections from the U.S. Congress, was seen as a breakthrough in bilateral defense relations and a critical step in keeping Türkiye’s air force operationally ready.
Beyond acquisitions, Türkiye is also developing its national combat aircraft, known as “KAAN.” This domestically-produced fifth-generation fighter jet is part of Türkiye’s broader push to develop an independent defense industry, capable of producing advanced military technology without reliance on foreign suppliers. The KAAN project, led by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), is expected to produce its first operational aircraft by the end of the decade. The development of KAAN highlights Ankara’s ambition to become a major player in the global defense industry, exporting advanced systems to other nations while reducing its reliance on external defense suppliers.
The purchase of the Eurofighter Typhoon jets has significant geopolitical implications, not just for Türkiye, but also for its NATO allies and the broader region. For Türkiye, the deal would signal its intent to remain a key NATO ally, capable of contributing to collective defense missions, despite recent strains in relations with some Western nations.
At the same time, the deal underscores Ankara’s efforts to balance its defense partnerships between Western countries and other powers, such as Russia and China. Türkiye’s S-400 acquisition from Russia in 2019 strained relations with NATO allies, particularly the United States, and led to sanctions under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). The Eurofighter purchase, if finalized, could help mend some of these strained relations by signaling a renewed commitment to Western defense partnerships.
For European members of the Eurofighter consortium, the deal represents a significant economic and strategic opportunity. The defense industry in the UK, Germany, Italy, and Spain would benefit from the large-scale export of fighter jets to Türkiye, boosting the Eurofighter program’s financial sustainability. Additionally, it would reaffirm the strategic importance of European defense cooperation within NATO.
However, the deal is not without controversy. Critics, particularly in Germany, have raised concerns about the potential use of these jets in Türkiye’s military operations, including those in Syria, where Ankara has carried out multiple incursions targeting Kurdish forces. The prospect of European-made jets being used in such conflicts could create friction within the EU, where opinions on Turkish foreign policy are deeply divided.
The upcoming meeting between Erdoğan and Scholz on October 19th in Istanbul will be crucial in determining the future of the Eurofighter deal. While there has been significant progress in talks, the outcome of this summit could either accelerate the finalization of the agreement or lead to further delays if unresolved issues persist.
Scholz’s comments suggest that Germany may be open to finding a compromise, particularly as other consortium members like the UK and Spain are pushing for the deal. If Germany’s concerns can be addressed—perhaps through assurances about the use of the jets—there is a strong likelihood that Türkiye will secure the Eurofighter Typhoon in the near future.
As Türkiye takes concrete steps to expedite the purchase of Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets, it is clear that the country is focused on strengthening its defense capabilities amidst a challenging regional security environment. The potential acquisition of these jets, alongside the ongoing modernization of Türkiye’s F-16 fleet and the development of the KAAN national combat aircraft, highlights Ankara’s broader strategy of military modernization and diversification.
