Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wanted the American F-35 badly. He pushed hard, even appealed directly to Donald Trump. But Washington said no. The deal fell apart, and now Erdogan is shifting his attention across the Atlantic, to the UK.
Sources say Turkey and the UK are on the verge of signing a provisional agreement for Eurofighter Typhoon jets. These aren’t just any fighters; they’re the result of a joint effort between Britain, Germany, Italy, and Spain. So Turkey needs more than a handshake from London. It needs a green light from all four.
Signing Could Happen This Week
British Defence Secretary John Healey is heading to Istanbul for the IDEF arms expo. The expectation is that the agreement will be signed during his visit. While the UK hasn’t made anything official yet, insiders say the deal is nearly wrapped.
Turkey’s been eyeing these jets since 2023. The problem? Germany’s veto. But in early 2024, Ankara managed to get around that. That opened the door for real talks. Now, it’s about ironing out the details.
Price Is Still a Sticking Point
Here’s the thing: Britain offered 40 Typhoons for around $12 billion. Turkey wasn’t thrilled. Negotiations are still ongoing, especially around cost, technology transfer, and pilot training.
Right now, Turkey depends on US-made F-16s. But those jets are getting old, and Turkey’s own fifth-gen fighter, the KAAN, won’t be ready until 2028. So the Typhoon isn’t just a wish. It’s a stopgap solution they badly need.
Qatar May Help Speed Things Up
To get planes in the air faster, Turkey is also looking at used Typhoons from Gulf allies like Qatar. It’s a smart move if they want to skip the long wait for brand-new aircraft.
Turkey isn’t settling for old tech. The deal includes the latest Typhoon variant, Tranche 4, equipped with advanced radar and avionics. It’s a serious upgrade.
One issue that could hold things back is training. Turkish pilots have never flown European-made fighter jets. They’re used to American systems. Ankara also wants access to some of the technology behind the Typhoon. That’s still being negotiated.
A Strategic Shift, Not Just a Purchase
This isn’t just about planes. It’s a sign that Turkey is willing to move away from the US when it has to. It’s also a test of how far European countries are willing to cooperate with Erdogan, even as political tensions simmer under the surface.
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