Turkey faces a pressing need for advanced fighter jets: "Modern fighter aircraft in demand due to Turkey's challenges with Israel and Greece"
In a significant move towards enhancing its air combat capabilities, Turkey is planning to acquire 40 Eurofighter Typhoon multirole combat jets from the United Kingdom. This deal, which represents a strategic step towards replacing Turkey's aging F-16 fleet, was formalized in a preliminary agreement signed at the IDEF defense exhibition in Istanbul in July 2025 [1][3][5].
The Turkish and UK defense ministers have signed a memorandum of understanding focused on Turkey's inclusion in the Eurofighter program. While the procurement contract has yet to be finalized, the agreement signals promising progress, with expectations for further negotiations and a possible contract signing by fall 2025 [1][3][5].
The Eurofighter Typhoon offers advanced multirole capabilities that would modernize Turkey’s air force promptly, bolstering its defense strategy in the Middle East, where Turkey faces complex regional conflicts and security challenges. The acquisition of these jets is a strategic means to maintain robust NATO-compatible air combat strength, as Turkey's exclusion from the F-35 program due to its purchase of the Russian S-400 air-defense system has limited its access to the latest American fighter jets [5].
Meanwhile, Turkey is also developing its own fifth-generation stealth fighter, the KAAN, intended to be an alternative to the F-35. However, the KAAN is still in the prototype phase and cannot address Turkey's urgent modernization needs [5]. To bridge this gap, Turkey needs 500 modern combat aircraft, with 40 to 50 needed urgently [6].
The shortage of pilots in the Turkish Air Force, exacerbated by the dismissal of at least 620 pilots since the coup attempt in 2016, over 200 more pilots through the Ministry of Defense, and the closure of the prestigious military aviation academy, Işıklar, has left a significant void in pilot training [2][4][7]. In response, Turkey is seeking pilots abroad [8].
The urgency for modernization is further underscored by the current geopolitical tensions and regional conflicts. Greece and Israel, for instance, have more advanced air forces compared to Turkey, with Greece set to receive 20 F-35s by 2030 [9]. Meanwhile, a "supply gap" has been exposed in Russia's air defense [10].
Recently, Ukraine has reportedly launched massive drone attacks on Russia, highlighting the importance of modern and effective air defense systems [11]. As Turkey moves forward with its plans to modernize its air force, the acquisition of Eurofighter Typhoons appears to be a strategic move towards addressing these urgent needs and strengthening Turkey’s defense posture in a volatile regional environment [1][3][5].
However, it's worth noting that the SETA foundation, a government-affiliated foundation, has published a report criticizing Erdogan-critical journalists, targeting journalists from international media organizations such as BBC, Deutsche Welle, Voice of America, Sputnik, Euronews, CRI, and Independent [12]. This report named the affected journalists and published screenshots of their activities, raising concerns about freedom of the press in Turkey.
In conclusion, the acquisition of Eurofighter Typhoons from the UK represents a significant step towards modernizing Turkey’s air force and enhancing its air combat capabilities. As Turkey continues to navigate regional conflicts and geopolitical tensions, the urgency for modernization cannot be overstated.
References: 1. Anadolu Agency 2. Reuters 3. Defense News 4. Al-Monitor 5. Defense News 6. Defense News 7. Al-Monitor 8. Al-Monitor 9. Defense News 10. Defense News 11. BBC News 12. The Independent
- The acquisition of Eurofighter Typhoons from the UK is a strategic step in Turkey's defense policy and legislation, aiming to modernize its air force and bolster its regional politics in the face of war-and-conflicts and complex security challenges.
- Meanwhile, the urgency for general-news coverage is heightened as Turkey seeks to address its pilot shortage, while simultaneously pursuing the modernization of its air force and air defense systems in response to the regional conflicts and geopolitical tensions.
