Turkey has alternatives if Germany rejects Eurofighter Typhoon sale
"Turkey has other options if Germany obstructs the sale of Typhoon fighter jets (to Turkey)," said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a joint press conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — Turkey has clearly stated to Germany that it has “other options” if its proposal to purchase 40 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets is rejected by Berlin, as the European country is displeased with Ankara’s strong stance on Israel’s brutal military actions in Gaza.
During a joint press conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Turkish presiden Recep Tayyep Erdogan stated, “Turkey has other options if Germany obstructs the sale of Typhoon fighter jets.”
Erdogan, who is currently on a visit to Germany, stated that Berlin hesitate to criticize Israel due to being burdened by a sense of historical guilt stemming from the mass killings of Jews during World War II.
“We (Turkey) are free to talk, Germany does not have the freedom to speak,” said the Turkish president.
He emphasized that Germany is not the only country in the world producing fighter jets, and Turkey has alternative options if its request for Typhoon fighter jets is denied.
The Typhoon fighter jets are produced by a consortium of European companies based in the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and Spain.
The sale of these fighter jets requires approval from all four European countries involved in their production.
Turkey’s Defense Minister, Yasar Guler, confirmed the country’s desire to acquire 40 Typhoon fighter jets, with approval already obtained from the United Kingdom and Spain.
The strained relations between Turkey and Germany stemmed from Turkey’s strong criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza, which has angered Germany, a close ally of Tel Aviv.
In response, Chancellor Olaf Scholz has blocked Turkey’s intention to purchase 40 Eurofighter Typhoon jets.
Erdogan has urged Germany to lift the arms export ban imposed by Berlin on Ankara, allowing Turkey to proceed with the acquisition process for the fighter jets produced by the four European countries.
Following Israel’s brutal attacks on Gaza, which have claimed the lives of over 12,000 people, mainly children and women, Turkey has labeled Tel Aviv as a “terrorist state.”
Additionally, Turkey refuses to succumb to Western pressure to categorize Hamas as a terrorist organization, aligning itself differently from other European countries and NATO member states.
Turkey aims to replace its aging F-4 Phantom fighter jets promptly, especially after being excluded from the development program of the fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets by the United States.
This exclusion was a consequence of Turkey’s acquisition of the Russian-made S-400 “Triumf” air defense system.
To meet the demand for modern fighter jets, Turkey has initiated the development of its fifth-generation fighter jet called “KAAN,” expected to be operational around 2028-2029.
The proposal to acquire 40 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets is likely the first phase, with additional acquisitions expected in subsequent phases. — DSA
DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA APPS
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