Turkey recently received approval from the United States to buy 40 F-16 Block 70 Viper fighter jets and is looking to buy an equal number of Eurofighter Typhoons to diversify its fighter fleet and elevate military cooperation with Europe. However, Germany’s approval is needed for this deal, and Berlin may not be forthcoming due to its opposition to various Turkish government policies. Despite the obstacles, Ankara is in talks with the United Kingdom and Spain for a potential deal, with hopes of positive results being achieved through discussions with British and German officials.
NATO member Turkey has criticized Germany for holding up the Eurofighter deal and is facing challenges trying to secure approval. Berlin has previously blocked a British sale of Eurofighters to Saudi Arabia due to human rights concerns and Riyadh’s controversial actions in Yemen but eventually lifted the ban. It remains uncertain whether Germany will make a similar decision in Turkey’s case. The potential exodus of refugees from the Middle East could influence Germany’s stance, but predicting the ultimate response to the Eurofighter sale is challenging due to complex regional and international dynamics.
Ankara’s interest in the Eurofighter is driven by strategic motives such as diversifying military assets to reduce dependency on the United States, closing the technological gap until Turkey can develop its own advanced fighter jets, and testing Europe’s willingness to collaborate on defense. Rejecting the Eurofighter deal could push Ankara towards collaboration with non-NATO allies, highlighting the hypocritical nature of some European nations. The evolving dynamics in the Ukraine conflict and the inclusion of Turkey in the European Sky Shield Initiative may create more conducive conditions for securing the Eurofighter deal.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has indicated that if Germany does not approve the Eurofighter sale, Turkey will explore other options while seeking to reduce reliance on a single supplier and enhance technological independence. This could involve joint ventures or independent efforts to develop domestic defense capabilities, reflecting a broader strategic vision beyond the immediate acquisition of fighter jets. The underlying strategy is to increase Turkey’s autonomy in defense and technology development, aligning with its goal of pursuing parallel objectives in the defense sector.
It is uncertain whether Germany will approve the Eurofighter sale to Turkey, considering historical context and Western states’ cautiousness towards enhancing Turkey’s military capabilities. While Ankara and the UK have been lobbying for Germany’s approval, some European nations have actively sought to constrain Turkey’s capabilities under different pretexts, reflecting a long-standing policy. The lifting of the ban on a Saudi Eurofighter sale may not indicate a willingness to approve a similar sale to Turkey, revealing the complexities and challenges in securing approval for such a deal.
The potential acquisition of Eurofighters would mark Turkey’s first purchase of modern, non-American fighter jets and could lead to new military partnerships between Germany and Turkey, enhancing political and economic ties. Ankara’s determination to pursue autonomy in defense and technology development highlights the broader strategic vision beyond acquiring fighter jets. Despite facing obstacles in securing approval for the Eurofighter deal, Turkey is actively engaging in discussions with relevant stakeholders to advance its strategic goals in the defense sector.
