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Defense Minister Yasar Guler announced on Saturday the delivery timeline for Türkiye's Eurofighter Typhoon acquisition, with 20 new-build aircraft from the United Kingdom (U.K.) to enter inventory between 2030 and 2032, and 12 modernized jets from Oman expected by 2028.
Speaking at an annual evaluation meeting with media representatives in Ankara, Guler provided the first official timeline for the multi-source fighter jet procurement that includes the UK, Qatar, and Oman.
The Defense Minister confirmed the delivery schedule for the 20 new-production Eurofighter Typhoons under the agreement with the United Kingdom:
Britain and Türkiye finalized the agreement on Oct. 27 for up to £8 billion, marking the largest British fighter aircraft export deal in a generation.
Guler said negotiations with Qatar and Oman for additional Eurofighter aircraft are progressing positively.
Regarding the Omani aircraft, the Turkish Defense Minister revealed they require comprehensive modernization before entering the Turkish Air Forces Command (TurAF) inventory.
"The aircraft to be procured from Oman need to be modernized with AESA radar, Meteor missile capability and updated avionics systems. We expect the modernization of 12 aircraft to be completed in 2028," Guler said.
The minister noted that the Omani jets have low flight hours and have been stored in hangars.
Turkish Defense Minister described the Qatari Emiri Air Force (QEAF) Eurofighters as "ready aircraft" with very few flight hours.
"Our Qatari brothers are showing great understanding. We will acquire these aircraft together with the ammunition and materials in Qatar's inventory as a package," Guler said.
The minister announced that pilot and maintenance personnel training will begin as soon as possible in both Qatar and Oman.
"Our pilots at our Air Element Command in Qatar are constantly working with Qatari pilots. We will begin Eurofighter pilot and maintenance personnel training in both Qatar and Oman as soon as possible," he added.
Guler also confirmed that the Eurofighters will be acquired with Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles (BVRAAM).
Emphasizing Türkiye's strategic autonomy vision, Guler said, "We will also be able to use our own ammunition with our own national software on these aircraft. In this process, we will make something better than the Meteor missile and sell it to them if they want."
Guler also addressed Türkiye's efforts to rejoin the F-35 program and remove CAATSA sanctions.
"We know that U.S. President Trump has initiated efforts to bring the removal of CAATSA sanctions to the Senate and that U.S. officials are working on this issue," he stated.
"We do not see a problem with F-16 procurement. Of course, our priority will be the F-35s. We know that Israel and Greece are lobbying for these aircraft not to be given to us. We continue our own work for the removal of CAATSA sanctions. We have separate working groups on these issues," Guler added.
The Turkish defense minister concluded by stating, "Türkiye and the United States will solve these problems."
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