Turkey nears Eurofighter deal with UK, Germany's approval
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Turkey secures a major defense upgrade with a Eurofighter Typhoon deal involving Britain and Germany, reinforcing its NATO air power amid regional instability.
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An Italian Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon military fighter jet participates in NATO's Baltic Air Policing Mission, operating in Lithuanian airspace, Tuesday, Sept.12, 2023 (AP)
Turkiye and Britain signed a preliminary agreement that will allow Ankara to operate Eurofighter Typhoon jets, while Germany approved the delivery of 40 such aircraft, a move that Ankara has sought to enhance its defensive capabilities in an increasingly volatile region. The deals were finalized on Wednesday.
Turkiye, a NATO member, has worked to boost its deterrence capabilities through a combination of domestic defense projects, such as its own fighter jet program, and foreign acquisitions, including negotiations with Washington to buy 40 F-16 fighter jets alongside the newly agreed Eurofighter deal.
Ankara and Washington have completed a $23 billion deal for F-16 fighter jets following extended negotiations, with Turkiye set to acquire 40 new aircraft and modernize 79 of its current F-16s, according to Turkish Defense Ministry sources last Thursday.
According to a Wednesday report by the Der Spiegel news magazine, the German government has approved the delivery of 40 Eurofighter Typhoon jets to Turkiye after the federal security council gave its approval.
Turkiye has been negotiating since 2023 to acquire 40 Eurofighter Typhoon jets produced by a consortium, including Germany, Britain, Italy, and Spain, with Airbus, BAE Systems, and Leonardo as the participating companies.
During a signing ceremony in Istanbul with British Defense Secretary John Healey, Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler stated that the agreements would enhance bilateral relations, contribute to strengthening NATO's air power capabilities, and support Ankara's own aerial defense capacity.
"We welcome this positive step toward our country joining the Eurofighter Typhoon club, and want to reiterate our mutual ambition to complete the necessary arrangements as soon as possible," he said.
