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UK brings Turkey to Eurofighter club with a preliminary deal for Typhoon jets
Turkey, a NATO member, has long sought to purchase 40 Eurofighter planes produced by a collaboration of British, German, and Italian businesses. File image/ AP
Turkey and Britain inked a preliminary deal on Wednesday for the sale of Eurofighter Typhoon fighter planes to Turkey, marking a significant step forward in Ankara's goals to modernise its air fleet.
Turkish Defence Minister Yasar Guler and his British counterpart, John Healey, signed a memorandum of understanding during a defence industry show in Istanbul, according to the Turkish Ministry of National Defence.
Turkey, a NATO member, has long sought to purchase 40 Eurofighter planes produced by a collaboration of British, German, and Italian businesses. Germany apparently first rejected the transaction but eventually changed its position. Britain oversaw discussions on behalf of the group.
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According to a statement from Turkey's defence ministry, the pact brings the two countries 'one step closer to a full agreement on the Typhoon.'
'Both Ministers welcome signature as a positive step towards bringing Turkey into the Typhoon club and share a mutual ambition to conclude the necessary arrangements as soon as possible,' it added.
Britain's BAE Systems, a part of the consortium, hailed the agreement and stated that it will continue to work with the Turkish and British governments to finalise the procurement deal.
Turkish authorities have stated that they are currently negotiating price and technical details, having received an initial bid and want to submit a counter-proposal.
Turkey is also looking to return to the US-led F-35 fighter jet program, from which it was expelled in 2019 after purchasing Russian-made S-400 missile defence systems. The US said the systems presented a threat to the F-35s.
Turkey is also building a homegrown fifth-generation fighter plane, the KAAN, which is expected to be operational in 2028.
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