ANKARA, Turkey (AP) – On Wednesday, Turkey and Britain signed a preliminary agreement pertaining to the sale of Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets, marking a significant advancement in Turkey's efforts to modernize its air fleet. This memorandum of understanding was signed by Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler and his British counterpart, John Healey, during a defense industry fair held in Istanbul.
The deal stems from Turkey's longstanding objective to acquire 40 Eurofighter jets, a product of a consortium that includes companies from Britain, Germany, and Italy. Initially, Germany voiced opposition to the sale; however, it later altered its stance, facilitating Britain’s leadership in negotiations on behalf of the consortium. A statement from Turkey's Ministry of National Defense noted that through this memorandum, the two nations have moved closer to finalizing the agreement regarding the Typhoon aircraft.
Both Ministers expressed optimism regarding the signature, which they viewed as a constructive step towards integrating Turkey into the "Typhoon club." They also conveyed a mutual desire to expedite the arrangements necessary to finalize the deal. While discussions have commenced, Turkish officials indicated that negotiations are ongoing concerning pricing and technical specifications. They noted that an initial offer has been received, and Turkey anticipates submitting a counter-proposal.
Alongside this agreement, Turkey has also expressed interest in rejoining the U.S.-led F-35 fighter jet program. Turkey was expelled from the program in 2019 after acquiring Russian-made S-400 missile defense systems, which the United States asserted posed a threat to the security of the F-35 jets.
In addition to international collaborations, Turkey is advancing its own initiative to develop a domestic fifth-generation fighter jet known as the KAAN. This indigenous aircraft is projected to be operational by 2028, representing Turkey's ambitions in the defense industry and efforts to enhance its aerial capabilities independently.
