Turkey is closing in on a major deal to upgrade its air force by acquiring Eurofighter Typhoon jets, with negotiations entering their final phase after years of political wrangling and shifting alliances across Europe and the Gulf. The move, which has drawn attention from defense analysts and regional observers alike, comes as Ankara seeks to bridge the gap between its current capabilities and the future deployment of its own domestically developed fifth-generation fighter, the KAAN.
According to comments made on October 24, 2025 by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey is currently in talks with both Qatar and Oman to purchase used Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets. These discussions, Erdogan said, are progressing positively. Speaking to journalists during a flight back from a Gulf tour that included stops in Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman, Erdogan confirmed, "We discussed the ongoing negotiations with the Qatari and Omani sides regarding the purchase of Eurofighter warplanes. The talks on this technically detailed matter are progressing positively." His remarks, released Friday, underscore Ankara's determination to shore up its air force at a moment of heightened regional instability and shifting security alliances.
The Eurofighter Typhoon, a product of a consortium that includes the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and Spain, represents one of the most advanced multirole combat aircraft currently in service. Turkey has been in talks since 2023 to purchase 40 of these jets, seeking to modernize its air fleet and strengthen its defenses. In July 2025, Turkey and the United Kingdom signed a preliminary agreement for the sale, with Britain playing a leading role in negotiations on behalf of the consortium. At the same time, the German government, which had previously blocked such sales due to domestic political concerns, reversed its position following the formation of a new government under Chancellor Friedrich Merz in May 2025.
Michael Schoellhorn, CEO of Airbus Defense and Space, told Anadolu Agency on October 24 that the negotiations are "approaching the final stages," and he is "very optimistic the talks with Ankara will conclude successfully soon." He explained, "The German government has stated very clearly: we will not be blocking, we support the idea of delivering Eurofighters to Türkiye. So that, I think, is done." According to Schoellhorn, BAE Systems is now leading the commercial and technical discussions with Ankara, marking a shift from political hurdles to more practical negotiations.
Germany's change of heart, as reported by Anadolu Agency, stemmed from a broader reassessment of Europe's defense needs. The new coalition government, led by Merz's Conservatives, has emphasized scaling up Europe's defense industry and strengthening NATO's capabilities in light of growing geopolitical challenges. "European governments have realized in what situation Europe is, security-wise. I think they have also realized that they cannot solely depend on the U.S.," Schoellhorn said. "The U.S. might have to do something else, so Europe needs to ramp it up. And that's happening."
Turkey's ambitions extend beyond the Eurofighter deal. Officials in Ankara have outlined a plan to acquire a total of 120 fighter jets as a transitional fleet until the KAAN is expected to enter service in 2028 at the earliest. This fleet would include 40 Eurofighters, 40 U.S.-made F-16s, and 40 F-35s. The latter, however, remains a contentious issue. Turkey was removed from the U.S.-led F-35 program in 2019 after it purchased Russian-made S-400 missile defense systems, with Washington citing security concerns. Erdogan has raised the issue of Turkey's reentry into the program in meetings with U.S. officials, but a resolution remains elusive.
Meanwhile, the search for used Eurofighters from Qatar and Oman is seen as a pragmatic solution to meet immediate needs. Both Gulf nations are among the nine countries currently operating Eurofighter jets, alongside the U.K., Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait. By turning to these secondary markets, Turkey hopes to avoid delays and ensure its air force remains competitive until the KAAN is ready for mass production.
The KAAN, Turkey's own fifth-generation fighter, is set to replace the country's aging F-16 fleet, which is planned to be phased out starting in the 2030s. Mass production of the KAAN is expected to begin in 2028, marking a significant milestone for Turkey's defense industry. Over the past two decades, Ankara has invested heavily in building up its domestic capabilities, producing everything from drones and missiles to naval vessels. This drive was partly motivated by repeated arms embargoes and political obstacles in sourcing advanced weaponry from Western allies.
Schoellhorn, who previously served as a helicopter pilot in the German military, praised the capabilities of the Turkish aerospace and defense industries. "I have learned by myself the capabilities and the skills of the Turkish industry in general. So that's an asset to have. Now, Türkiye has invested a lot into defense and that's being seen," he said. He also pointed to ongoing collaborations, noting that Airbus is working with Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) on the Hürjet jet trainer, which Spain is considering purchasing. "We are collaborating with Türkiye on the jet trainer, on the Hürjet that will likely be bought by Spain, and we are in discussions on how we can do that together," he added.
The Eurofighter deal could also pave the way for a deeper, long-term partnership between Turkey and European defense firms. Schoellhorn highlighted the broader ecosystem surrounding the Eurofighter, which includes advanced weapon sets, connectivity solutions, and emerging technologies like man-unmanned teaming—where human pilots collaborate with AI-controlled or autonomous drones. "Eurofighter is more than just an aircraft. There's a system behind it. There's a weapon set behind it. There is, in the future, connectivity that's coming with it. There will be man-unmanned teaming solutions," he explained. "If Türkiye becomes part of the Eurofighter club, if I may say, there are a lot of user groups that we have where the users come together, they exchange ideas, you learn together, you learn faster."
Despite the progress, some hurdles remain. Political differences between Turkey and several EU members—especially Greece and the Greek Cypriot administration—have limited Ankara's participation in joint EU defense procurement programs. Schoellhorn acknowledged these challenges but argued for pragmatic cooperation: "Industry is not the one to decide what the politicians should deal with among themselves. I think these should be resolved by discussion. Türkiye is not part of the EU, but Türkiye is a member of NATO. And as such, there should be a way and a route for collaboration."
For Turkey, the Eurofighter negotiations are not just about acquiring new jets—they are about securing a place at the table in Europe's evolving defense landscape and ensuring the country's long-term security in a turbulent region. As talks draw to a close, both sides appear eager to turn the page on past disputes and embrace a new era of cooperation, technology sharing, and mutual benefit.
With the final deal on the horizon, Turkey stands poised to modernize its air force, deepen its ties with European partners, and set the stage for the next generation of defense innovation.