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By Amira El-Fekki
Middle East News Reporter
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NATO member Turkey has signed a deal to purchase 20 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets and plans to acquire more to replace its aging F-16 fleet while it awaits clarity on the possibility of obtaining F-35 aircraft.
Newsweek has reached out to Turkish defense ministry for comment.
Why It Matters
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has pushed to revive talks on acquiring U.S.-made F-35 jets. The United States removed Turkey from the F-35 development program after it took delivery of the Russian S-400 air defense system in 2019.
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The U.S. and other NATO allies shared general security concerns about the integration of a Russian advanced surface-to-air missile system into a member state’s defenses, worrying about interoperability, data security and potential intelligence leaks.
U.S. officials fear that were Turkey to fly F-35s near its Russian S-400 missile system, which has a highly advanced radar capable of collecting electronic intelligence, it could expose the fighter’s stealth and electronic systems to Moscow. Turkish companies were set to produce components as part of a $1.4 billion investment in the fighter's program.
President Donald Trump has stopped short of making any firm commitment to supply NATO ally Turkey with F-35s. In addition to concerns over Russian ties, Turkey has emerged as one of the few regional players capable of competing with the growing defense footprint of Israel, Washington's main Middle East partner.
Turkey has steadily built its position in the global defense market—particularly with drones—and is now expanding domestic production into other fields, including advanced jets and aircraft carriers, aiming for both self-sufficiency and possible export sales.
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What To Know
Erdoğan and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer signed a deal worth up to £8 billion (approximately $10.7 billion) for 20 U.K. Typhoon fighter jets during the latter's visit to Ankara on Monday. In a statement, the British government said it was the U.K.'s "biggest fighter jet exports deal in a generation."
As a result of its exclusion from the F-35 program, Turkey has been developing its own fighter jet, the KAAN. According to The Associated Press, Turkey plans a transitional fleet of 120 fighter jets—40 Eurofighters, 40 F-16s, and 40 F-35s—while it develops its homegrown aircraft.
Turkey had also sought to upgrade its F‑16 fleet, but political issues with the Biden administration delayed or blocked parts of the deal, prompting Ankara to pivot some of its focus to Eurofighter Typhoons as a backup, Reuters reported in November 2023.
The Eurofighter Typhoon is classified as a 4.5 generation fighter. The twin-engine, multi-role combat aircraft can be used for air-to-air and air-to-ground combat and was developed jointly by Germany, the U.K., Italy and Spain.
Compared with the fifth-generation multirole F-35, the Typhoon holds an advantage in close-range combat with superior speed and maneuverability while the F-35's advanced stealth and sensor fusion give it an advantage in beyond-visual-range engagements, security expert Steve Balestrieri noted in a recent analysis published by the National Security Journal. In other words, the F-35 could deliver its first decisive shot before a dogfight even begins.
What People Are Saying
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: "At either ends of Europe, the U.K. and Türkiye are vital to tackling the challenges of our time and this will allow our armed forces to work even closer together as we deter threats and protect our national interests. This landmark agreement with Türkiye is a win for British workers, a win for our defense industry, and a win for NATO security. "
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, said, according to The Associated Press: “I am proud that British Typhoons will form a vital part of the Turkish Air Force for many years to come.”
What Happens Next
Turkey is seeking two acquire a total of 44 Typhoon aircraft, with Qatar and Oman each expected to provide 12 of their jets, Türkiye Today reported Turkish Defense Minister Yaşar Güler saying on Monday.
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