Newsletters
Türkiye has made “positive progress” in negotiations with the United Kingdom over the procurement of Eurofighter Typhoon jets and aims to finalize the acquisition “at an appropriate time,” Defense Ministry sources said Thursday.
At the ministry’s weekly press briefing, Defense Ministry Press and Public Relations Advisor and Spokesperson Rear Adm.
Zeki Akturk fielded questions about the Eurofighter project, which was discussed during President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s recent visit to Qatar.
Responding to inquiries, ministry sources said that until deliveries of Türkiye’s domestically produced KAAN fighter jet begin, the Turkish Armed Forces plan to procure necessary systems—primarily from allies and partner countries—to meet operational needs.
“Work continues on the procurement of Eurofighter jets,” the sources said. “Following discussions held with the United Kingdom, positive progress has been made, and the aim is to complete procurement activities within an appropriate timeframe."
"Once the Eurofighter acquisition reaches the contract stage, official announcements will be made by our side. Any claims to the contrary should not be taken seriously," sources added.
President Erdogan met on Wednesday with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Türkiye and Qatar signed several agreements during the meetings, including on defense industry cooperation.
Ankara is pursuing the acquisition of used Eurofighter Typhoon jets from Qatar’s fleet, a security source told Agence France-Presse (AFP).
A Turkish official declined to give details, saying only that “the details of the defense industry cooperation agreement will be clarified in the coming days.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz are expected to visit Türkiye later this month, when agreements could be finalized, sources told Reuters.
“We look forward to agreeing on the final contracting details soon,” a U.K. government spokesperson told Reuters, referencing a July memorandum that paved the way for “a multibillion-pound order of up to 40 aircraft.”
Türkiye has also developed its own fifth-generation stealth fighter, the KAAN, which is expected to replace the F-16s that currently form the backbone of its air force.
Officials have acknowledged, however, that it will take several years before the KAAN is fully operational and ready for widespread deployment.
2 min read
1 min read
