President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is scheduled to visit Qatar this week in a significant move to overhaul Turkey’s aerial combat fleet, with a formal request to purchase 24 used Eurofighter Typhoon jets from the Gulf state. The high-stakes visit underscores Turkey’s urgent push to modernize its air force and deepen defense ties with European partners amid a complex geopolitical landscape.
According to a report by Bloomberg, the potential transfer of Qatar’s Tranche 3A jets is being facilitated by the United Kingdom, a key member of the Eurofighter consortium. The deal for the used aircraft is part of a much larger, multi-billion dollar acquisition plan that also includes a Turkish request to buy 16 new, state-of-the-art Tranche 4 Eurofighters. Sources familiar with the negotiations, which are still ongoing, indicated that while the deal is not yet finalized, Turkey is hopeful that initial deliveries could begin as early as next year.
The move marks a potential strategic pivot for Turkey, a NATO member that operates the second-largest F-16 fleet in the world and has historically relied on American-made fighter jets. The interest in the European-built Typhoon is driven by a need to bridge a potential capability gap, as Ankara anticipates that newly purchased F-16s may not arrive before 2030. This initiative aligns with a broader trend of increased defense spending across Europe as nations confront a more aggressive Russia.
While the final value has not been disclosed, the comprehensive package is estimated to be worth several billion dollars. Previous reports suggest a figure around €10 billion ($11.6 billion) for both new and used fighters, along with advanced Meteor air-to-air missiles. The Eurofighter Typhoon is produced by a consortium comprising Airbus SE, Britain’s BAE Systems Plc, and Italy’s Leonardo SpA. Official comments from the Turkish and UK defense ministries, as well as the Qatari government, were not immediately available.
Crucially, the path for this landmark sale was cleared after a significant diplomatic shift from Germany, which had previously blocked the deal for over two years amid tensions in the eastern Mediterranean. During a recent visit to Ankara, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul signaled a clear reversal of this policy. "From the German perspective, there are no restrictions," Wadephul stated. "One could almost ask: With whom else should we cooperate if not with our NATO partner?" His comments have effectively removed the final political hurdle, paving the way for President Erdogan’s pivotal negotiations in Doha this week.
Photo: Gemini AI
