(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — Turkey maintain its interest on Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets, even after the United States granted approval for the purchase of 40 F-16 Block 70 fighter jets and 80 modernization kits worth US$23 billion (RM103 billion).
Speaking to news agency, Reuters, a senior official from the Turkish Ministry of Defense stated that the Mediterranean nation still intends to buy Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets.
“We (Turkey) remain interested, and we hope that consortium member Germany takes a positive stance on this issue,” the official remarked.
Germany has been reluctant to approve the sale of Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets to Turkey due to its displeasure with the strong criticisms from the Mediterranean country regarding Israel’s military actions in the Gaza Strip, which have resulted in the loss of 28,000 lives.
The Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jet 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 countries.
In November of last year, Turkey announced that it had initiated discussions with the Eurofighter Typhoon consortium countries, especially Britain, to acquire 40 of the latest variant known as “Tranche 4.”
However, the obstacle from Germany is likely to hinder Turkey’s aspirations to own Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets.
Equipped with the AESA radar “CAPTOR E,” the Eurofighter Typhoon Tranche 4 is touted as the most modern European fighter jet that can serve until 2060.
Germany is reported to have ordered 38 units of the Typhoon Tranche 4 fighter jets.
At the end of last month, the administration of US President Joe Biden reportedly wrote a letter to the US Congress requesting approval for the sale of 40 F-16 Block 70 fighter jets and 80 modernization kits to Turkey.
The letter was sent after the Turkish Parliament passed a law supporting Sweden’s entry into NATO, thereby approving the Nordic country’s efforts to join the military alliance after a deferred consideration of two years.
Sweden will become the 32nd NATO member.
Turkey is the largest user of F-16s outside the United States, with 250 aircraft, mostly built under license by its defense industry.
The US administration and Congress have conditioned Turkey’s approval for Sweden’s entry into NATO as a primary requirement for approving the sale of F-16 Block 70 fighter jets to the Mediterranean nation. — DSA
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