(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — The Chief Executive Officer of Eurofighter Giancarlo Mezzanatto confirmed that Turkey has shown a keen interest in acquiring Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets, but the effort has been obstructed by Germany.
Turkey expressed its desire to purchase between 40 and 50 Eurofighter Typhoon jets, likely from the latest variant.
The Italian CEO of Eurofighter indicated that Germany’s blocking of Turkey’s acquisition might be due to dissatisfaction with Ankara’s natural gas exploration activities in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Turkey’s gas exploration in the Eastern Mediterranean has escalated tensions with neighboring countries, particularly Greece and Cyprus, as well as their allies.
Germany is also reportedly reluctant to approve the sale of the Eurofighter Typhoon jets to Turkey due to strong criticisms from the Mediterranean country over Israel’s military actions in Gaza, which have resulted in 40,000 casualties.
Mezzanatto’s statement came approximately two weeks after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to drop his opposition to the sale of the Eurofighter Typhoon jets to Ankara.
“Scholz does not have a negative view on the Eurofighter Typhoon issue,” Erdogan stated.
The Eurofighter Typhoon is developed by a consortium of four European countries: Britain, Germany, Spain, and Italy.
Any sale of these fighter jets requires the approval of all four nations.
Last November, Turkey announced that it had initiated discussions with the Eurofighter Typhoon consortium members, particularly Britain, to acquire 40 of the latest variant of the Eurofighter Typhoon jets, known as “Tranche 4.” However, Germany’s opposition has thwarted Turkey’s aspirations to own these fighter jets.
Despite the United States approving Turkey’s purchase of 40 F-16 Block 70 jets and 80 modernization kits worth $23 billion (RM103 billion), Turkey remains interested in the Eurofighter Typhoon jets.
Speaking to Reuters in February, a senior official from the Turkish Ministry of Defense reiterated the country’s ongoing interest in the Eurofighter Typhoon jets.
“We (Turkey) are still interested. We hope the consortium members, particularly Germany, will adopt a positive stance on this issue,” the official said.
German trade unions have urged the government to swiftly approve Turkey’s request to purchase 40 Eurofighter Typhoon jets.
They fear that rejecting Turkey’s application could result in the loss of thousands of jobs in Germany’s defense industry.
Equipped with the AESA “CAPTOR E” radar, the Eurofighter Typhoon Tranche 4 is considered the most advanced European fighter jet, capable of serving until 2060.
Germany has reportedly ordered 38 Typhoon Tranche 4 fighter jets. – DSA