Turkish fighter purchase of F-35, F-16 and Eurofighter

[Ashwin]

Germany halts Eurofighter jet delivery to Türkiye citing tense political environment​

The German caretaker government led by the Social Democrats and Greens has blocked the planned export of approximately three dozen Eurofighter Typhoon jets to Türkiye, German media outlt Handelsblatt reported Thursday, citing sources familiar with confidential internal discussions.

According to German government sources, the primary reason for halting the export license is the arrest of Turkish opposition figure Ekrem Imamoglu over corruption charges, which Berlin officials described as “an attack on Turkish democracy.”

The opposition in Türkiye claims the corruption charges against Imamoglu are politically motivated.

The former mayor was arrested on March 23 over corruption allegations. The accusations against Imamoglu include the questionable acquisition of three villas in one of Istanbul’s prime locations by his family’s construction company, in which he owns 60 percent of the shares. According to official documents, a close business associate of Imamoglu purchased the villas on his behalf and transferred the property to Imamoglu’s company after three years with low price.

While outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz had supported defense exports to Türkiye during a visit to Istanbul in October 2024, the arrest of Imamoglu prompted a reversal. Scholz had previously argued, “Türkiye is a NATO member, and therefore we repeatedly make decisions leading to specific deliveries.”

Türkiye’s Eurofighter procurement timeline​

Türkiye’s interest in acquiring Eurofighter jets began in 2022 amid challenges modernizing its aging fleet:

• 2022–2023: Türkiye initiated talks with the U.K. and Spain, seeking to bypass German objections
• November 2023: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met Scholz during the U.N. General Assembly.
• November 2024: Germany approved the sale; Türkiye submitted its technical requirements.
• January–March 2025: Türkiye received and began evaluating a formal proposal from the U.K. Ministry of Defense.

The procurement plan reportedly includes up to 40 jets, split between 20 used Tranche 1 aircraft from the U.K. and 20 new Tranche 4 jets, intended to enter service by 2030.

Turkish officials are inspecting the Royal Air Force’s Eurofighter Typhoon jets in Ankara, Türkiye on December 18, 2024. (AA Photo)

Coalition tensions and European defense cooperation​

The decision may strain the incoming CDU-SPD coalition, set to assume power in mid-May. While the CDU is reportedly more supportive of proceeding with the export to maintain cohesion within the Eurofighter consortium, the SPD has advocated leveraging the deal to pressure Ankara over democratic issues.

The Eurofighter Typhoon program is a joint project of Germany, the U.K., Spain, and Italy. Germany’s restrictive arms export policy has long created tension within the consortium, with the U.K. and France often criticizing Berlin’s stance.

Efforts to harmonize European arms export rules are outlined in Germany’s defense industry strategy and the coalition agreement, which calls for faster and more coordinated export licensing, particularly among NATO allies.

Friedrich Merz, leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Markus Soder, leader of the Christian Social Union (CSU), Lars Klingbeil and Saskia Esken, co-chairs of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), gather for a press conference at the Paul Lobe Building in Berlin, Germany on April 9, 2025. (AA Photo)

Turkish Air Force modernization strategy​

Blocked from acquiring U.S.-made F-35 fighters due to its purchase of Russian S-400 missile systems in 2017, Türkiye has pursued several avenues to modernize its air fleet:

• F-16 Block 70 Program: Türkiye has signed a $1.4 billion agreement for 40 new F-16s and upgrades to its existing fleet.
• Domestic Production: The indigenous KAAN fifth-generation fighter jet completed its maiden flight in February 2024 and is undergoing trials.
• Meteor Missiles Acquisition: Türkiye seeks to equip the Eurofighters with Meteor missiles from MBDA, requesting around 400 units. France has approved the sale, though Greece has voiced security concerns.

The Ministry of National Defense (MoD) confirmed plans to integrate both the Meteor missile and Türkiye’s own developing Gokhan missile system into its arsenal.

Recently Turkish officials stated that they want to re-enter the F-35 program along with acquiring F-35s. “If CATSAA sanctions are lifted, the resumption of the F-35 procurement process will be considered, and we anticipate an acceleration in defense, industry, and security cooperation with the United States,” Turkish MoD sources recently said.

After the initial meetings about it, the United States and Türkiye agreed to initiate technical-level discussions aimed at addressing long-standing tensions over CAATSA sanctions and Ankara’s exclusion from the F-35 fighter jet program.

The active radar guided beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) – Meteor of multirole fighter Eurofighter Typhoon at Exhibition ILA Berlin Air Show 2022 in Berlin, Germany on June 23, 2022. Accessed on March 29, 2025. (Adobe Stock Photo)

UK Eurofighters land in Ankara​

Two British Eurofighter Typhoons landed at Murted Airfield Command near Ankara on December 18, 2024, for a demonstration, further indicating Türkiye’s strong interest in the aircraft.

Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler stated during a defense review on December 14 that “technical negotiations regarding the Eurofighter procurement are progressing positively.” He reiterated Türkiye’s interest in rejoining the F-35 program and lifting U.S. sanctions imposed under CAATSA.

 

[Ashwin]

Turkey puts the brakes on F-16 deal in favour of F-35s​

Ankara mulls rerouting $1.4bn it paid for F-16s to next generation jets if Trump readmits it into the programme

Turkey has slowed down a multibillion-dollar F-16 fighter jet deal with the United States as Ankara shifts its focus towards rejoining the next generation F-35 programme, two sources familiar with the matter told Middle East Eye.

According to a readout released by the Turkish presidency, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan asked his US counterpart, Donald Trump, to reconsider Ankara’s request to purchase F-35 fighter jets during a phone call in March.

Following the call, both governments began negotiations to resolve the key obstacle that led to Turkey’s exclusion from the programme in 2019: Ankara’s acquisition of Russian-made S-400 air defence systems.

Turkey had been one of the main partners in the F-35 consortium and was responsible for producing certain components. The US currently holds six F-35s in storage that were built for Turkey and fully paid for, but have been in limbo since 2019.

Earlier this month, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said legal experts from both sides were examining viable options that could enable the Trump administration to lift the S-400-related sanctions.

This could pave the way for broader defence engagements, including the purchase of $20bn worth of spare parts and ammunition.

Last year, Turkey scaled down its F-16 procurement plan, opting out of 79 modernisation kits and instead committing to purchase 40 F-16 Vipers along with associated ammunition, reducing the total value of the deal from $23bn to $7bn.

“Turkey has put the brakes on the F-16 deal,” one source told MEE. “The down payment Ankara made could potentially be rerouted toward the F-35 programme, if Washington agrees to readmit Turkey.”

The source added that Ankara does not plan to cancel the F-16 deal altogether but wants to prioritise the F-35s.

Turkish Defence Minister Yasar Guler said in November that Ankara had made a $1.4bn initial payment for the F-16s.

A second source noted that since both the F-16s and F-35s are manufactured by the US defence contractor Lockheed Martin, redirecting the payment would be feasible.

“There’s a long production queue for F-16s. Ankara might have to wait years before receiving its first jets,” the source said, pointing to Bulgaria, which waited three years for the first delivery of its F-16s.

If Turkey is readmitted into the F-35 programme, it could immediately take ownership of the six aircraft already built for it. Guler said in November during a parliamentary meeting that Ankara aims to buy in total 40 F-35s from the US.

This move is also strategically significant in the context of the balance of power in the eastern Mediterranean. Greece is set to receive its first F-35s in 2028, while Turkey’s aging F-16 fleet continues to present operational challenges.

Turkey currently operates multiple air bases across the region, with plans to expand further into Syria in the coming months.

“Turkey needs every aerial asset it can field across its multiple theatres of operation,” the second source said, reiterating that Ankara’s intent is not to cancel the F-16 deal but to prioritise the F-35 programme if there is tangible progress.

However, regional actors - chiefly Israel, but also Greece - are lobbying Washington to block the sale. Israel has long maintained a de facto veto over US arms sales to Middle Eastern countries to preserve its qualitative military edge.

The US-Turkey dispute over the F-35 dates back to 2019, when Ankara purchased the S-400 system from Russia, prompting its removal from the F-35 programme. In 2020, the Trump administration imposed sanctions on Turkey over the acquisition.

MEE earlier this month reported that Ankara is considering the temporary deployment of the S-400 systems to Syria - specifically to the T4 or Palmyra air bases - to secure air space during base reconstruction, which could help lifting the sanctions. However, no final decision has been made, and the move would require Russia’s approval.

 

[FenicromovCW]

This Eurofighter incident proves that India's decision to go with Rafale was far sighted Geopolitically.

 

[randomradio]

Turkey puts the brakes on F-16 deal in favour of F-35s​

Ankara mulls rerouting $1.4bn it paid for F-16s to next generation jets if Trump readmits it into the programme

Turkey has slowed down a multibillion-dollar F-16 fighter jet deal with the United States as Ankara shifts its focus towards rejoining the next generation F-35 programme, two sources familiar with the matter told Middle East Eye.

According to a readout released by the Turkish presidency, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan asked his US counterpart, Donald Trump, to reconsider Ankara’s request to purchase F-35 fighter jets during a phone call in March.

Following the call, both governments began negotiations to resolve the key obstacle that led to Turkey’s exclusion from the programme in 2019: Ankara’s acquisition of Russian-made S-400 air defence systems.

Turkey had been one of the main partners in the F-35 consortium and was responsible for producing certain components. The US currently holds six F-35s in storage that were built for Turkey and fully paid for, but have been in limbo since 2019.

Earlier this month, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said legal experts from both sides were examining viable options that could enable the Trump administration to lift the S-400-related sanctions.

This could pave the way for broader defence engagements, including the purchase of $20bn worth of spare parts and ammunition.

Last year, Turkey scaled down its F-16 procurement plan, opting out of 79 modernisation kits and instead committing to purchase 40 F-16 Vipers along with associated ammunition, reducing the total value of the deal from $23bn to $7bn.

“Turkey has put the brakes on the F-16 deal,” one source told MEE. “The down payment Ankara made could potentially be rerouted toward the F-35 programme, if Washington agrees to readmit Turkey.”

The source added that Ankara does not plan to cancel the F-16 deal altogether but wants to prioritise the F-35s.

Turkish Defence Minister Yasar Guler said in November that Ankara had made a $1.4bn initial payment for the F-16s.

A second source noted that since both the F-16s and F-35s are manufactured by the US defence contractor Lockheed Martin, redirecting the payment would be feasible.

“There’s a long production queue for F-16s. Ankara might have to wait years before receiving its first jets,” the source said, pointing to Bulgaria, which waited three years for the first delivery of its F-16s.

If Turkey is readmitted into the F-35 programme, it could immediately take ownership of the six aircraft already built for it. Guler said in November during a parliamentary meeting that Ankara aims to buy in total 40 F-35s from the US.

This move is also strategically significant in the context of the balance of power in the eastern Mediterranean. Greece is set to receive its first F-35s in 2028, while Turkey’s aging F-16 fleet continues to present operational challenges.

Turkey currently operates multiple air bases across the region, with plans to expand further into Syria in the coming months.

“Turkey needs every aerial asset it can field across its multiple theatres of operation,” the second source said, reiterating that Ankara’s intent is not to cancel the F-16 deal but to prioritise the F-35 programme if there is tangible progress.

However, regional actors - chiefly Israel, but also Greece - are lobbying Washington to block the sale. Israel has long maintained a de facto veto over US arms sales to Middle Eastern countries to preserve its qualitative military edge.

The US-Turkey dispute over the F-35 dates back to 2019, when Ankara purchased the S-400 system from Russia, prompting its removal from the F-35 programme. In 2020, the Trump administration imposed sanctions on Turkey over the acquisition.

MEE earlier this month reported that Ankara is considering the temporary deployment of the S-400 systems to Syria - specifically to the T4 or Palmyra air bases - to secure air space during base reconstruction, which could help lifting the sanctions. However, no final decision has been made, and the move would require Russia’s approval.

It's not an S-400 problem, it's an Erdogan problem.

Until Israel deems Turkey is a safe country for them, the Turks are not getting it.

 

[randomradio]

This Eurofighter incident proves that India's decision to go with Rafale was far sighted Geopolitically.

We are going with the Germans for P-75I. And we are not playing by the same rules as Turkey, so it's less of a problem.

 

[FenicromovCW]

We are going with the Germans for P-75I. And we are not playing by the same rules as Turkey, so it's less of a problem.

Just wanted to point out that multi-party consortium is difficult to manage with wrt single entity.

 

[randomradio]

Just wanted to point out that multi-party consortium is difficult to manage with wrt single entity.

There must be so many exasperated sighs coming out of the UK office right now.

I guess it will work out for Turkey in the end though, once the govt changes in May.

 

[Lolwa]

It's not an S-400 problem, it's an Erdogan problem.

Until Israel deems Turkey is a safe country for them, the Turks are not getting it.

Turks irrespective of Erdogan are too unstable and ambitious to be trusted with the f-35. They will takeover most of Syria,Cyprus and Iraq if they get hands-on them f-35's. I hope the Zionist lobby crushes any chance of the turks getting f-35. The americunts need to make the turks lick their spit and show them their place.