Türkiye Reportedly to Acquire Combination of 20 Used and 20 Eurofighter Typhoons Tranche 4
Türkiye’s aggressive pursuit of the Eurofighter Typhoon acquisition comes amid mounting concerns about the operational viability of its ageing fleet of F-16 fighters and protracted delays in receiving the latest F-16 Block 70 variants from the United States.
(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – Türkiye is poised to significantly bolster its air combat capabilities by receiving an initial batch of 20 pre-owned Eurofighter Typhoon Tranche 1 aircraft from the United Kingdom as early as 2026.
This acquisition will subsequently be complemented by an additional procurement of 20 cutting-edge Eurofighter Typhoon Tranche 4 fighters, expected to enter service by 2030.
The Eurofighter Typhoon Tranche 4 variant, fitted with the highly advanced Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) “CAPTOR E” radar, represents Europe’s forefront in combat aviation technology, projected to remain viable and strategically relevant until at least 2060.
Notably, Germany has already placed orders for 38 of these sophisticated aircraft, underscoring its confidence in their capability and future relevance.
Türkiye’s aggressive pursuit of the Eurofighter Typhoon acquisition comes amid mounting concerns about the operational viability of its ageing fleet of F-16 fighters and protracted delays in receiving the latest F-16 Block 70 variants from the United States.
This situation has intensified Ankara’s strategic imperative to swiftly secure a modern and capable air defence fleet.
Parallel to these acquisitions, Türkiye continues its ambitious project to develop an indigenous fifth-generation fighter aircraft, the KAAN, spearheaded by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI).
Eurofighter Typhoon
However, the KAAN program remains several years from achieving full operational capability, with initial deliveries to the Turkish Air Force not expected before 2028.
The KAAN aircraft, having completed only two flight tests to date, is preparing for a crucial third test, with TAI currently working on multiple prototype units.
The urgency of Türkiye’s aircraft procurement is further intensified by the escalating military rivalry with its neighbor Greece, which has acquired 24 advanced Rafale fighter jets from France.
The Rafale, equipped with sophisticated electronic warfare capabilities and long-range air-to-air missiles, has significantly altered the regional aerial balance of power.
Without promptly securing fighters of comparable capability, Türkiye risks a strategic disadvantage, potentially undermining its deterrence capability in the Aegean Sea and Eastern Mediterranean regions where tensions frequently flare.
In light of these circumstances, Türkiye is also actively lobbying for the removal of U.S. sanctions imposed under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), sanctions stemming from Türkiye’s controversial purchase of the Russian-made S-400 missile defence system.
Several months ago, Turkish Armed Forces Chief of General Staff General Metin Gurak visited the United Kingdom, where he toured RAF Coningsby, a Royal Air Force base that houses Eurofighter Typhoon jets.
Ankara anticipates that resolving this geopolitical deadlock could reopen its pathway to procure advanced F-35 stealth fighters, from which Türkiye was previously excluded despite an original intent to acquire up to 100 units.
Strategic discussions regarding the Eurofighter Typhoon procurement escalated on March 20, 2024, when Turkish Deputy Defence Minister Musa Heybet hosted British Ambassador Jill Morris and her delegation in Ankara.
The high-level talks included Turkish senior defence officials, notably Maj. Gen. İlkay Altındağ, Director-General of Defence and Security, and Mehmet Avcı, Director-General of Procurement Services, emphasizing both technical capabilities and the geopolitical significance of the Eurofighter deal.
In a significant step forward, the UK Ministry of Defence recently submitted an official proposal for the Eurofighter sale to Türkiye’s Ministry of National Defence, which Turkish defence officials are currently evaluating, according to local media reports.
“We previously announced that an official document concerning the acquisition of 40 Eurofighter Typhoon jets to meet our air force operational requirements had been prepared.”
“This document was sent to the UK Ministry of Defence and relevant manufacturers, with the expectation of receiving a counteroffer,” sources quoted by Turkish media reported.
Eurofighter Typhoon
“The anticipated offer has now been received, and the evaluation process is underway.”
The Eurofighter Typhoon, a sophisticated multirole fighter jet produced by a consortium involving the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, and Italy, requires unanimous consent from all four partner nations for international sales.
Türkiye’s procurement ambitions received a crucial boost in late 2024 after Germany, previously hesitant due to geopolitical concerns—including Türkiye’s Russian S-400 purchase, its operations in Syria, and Sweden’s delayed NATO accession—finally withdrew its objections.
This critical development was officially confirmed on November 13, 2024, by Turkish Defence Minister Yaşar Güler, who announced Germany’s decision to lift its longstanding objection.
Adding further momentum, two Royal Air Force (RAF) Eurofighter Typhoons landed at Türkiye’s Murted Air Base in Ankara in December 2024 for detailed inspections by Turkish Air Force officials, marking a notable milestone in overcoming earlier political resistance.
Türkiye’s enduring interest in the Eurofighter Typhoon, sharpened by its exclusion from the F-35 program following its acquisition of the Russian S-400 system, clearly signals Ankara’s determination to restore its regional military competitiveness and strategic autonomy in the face of shifting geopolitical dynamics, particularly amid increasing friction with neighboring Greece.
