https://arab.news/4fzay
Turkiye, which has historically relied on US-made fighter jets, had been for some time working on a deal to acquire Eurofighter Typhoon jets as part of its long-term goal to modernize and expand its air force. This week, those efforts finally bore fruit. Turkiye has reached preliminary agreements with both the UK and Germany for the potential purchase of 40 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets. British Defense Secretary John Healey heralded the agreements as bringing Turkiye “one step closer to a fully comprehensive agreement” that would bolster the air capabilities of both Ankara and NATO.
The signing of these deals has raised deep concerns in Israel, as opposition parties have criticized the Israeli government for failing to prevent the deal from moving forward. Some analysts and policymakers in Washington have also voiced discomfort with the deal, saying that it contradicts the German government’s previous decision to block the sale based on Turkiye’s support for some groups that threaten Western strategic interests. The Eurofighter Typhoon, produced by a consortium comprising the UK, Germany, Italy, and Spain, had long been out of Turkiye’s reach. The deal had stalled for years, primarily due to Germany’s persistent concerns regarding Turkiye’s foreign policy.
