A new option came to the fore in the Eurofighter negotiations held to meet the Turkish Air Force’s warplane needs. According to information reflected in the defense lobbies, a European country offered to transfer the warplanes in its production line to Türkiye within the scope of its own order. While the country that made the offer was not officially announced, all eyes turned to Spain. If the formula is implemented, Türkiye will be able to obtain new production Eurofighters without waiting for 2030.
SPAIN OPTION
Partners of the Eurofighter program include the UK, Germany, Italy and Spain. When the production programs of European countries are examined, orders from Spain especially attract attention. The Madrid administration signed an agreement for 20 new Eurofighters within the scope of the Halcón I program. While these aircraft are planned to be delivered between 2026-2030It is anticipated that 25 aircraft ordered within the scope of Halcón II will join the fleet in the 2030-2035 period.
CALENDAR MAY CHANGE
The agreement signed between Türkiye and the UK on October 27, 2025 covers the supply of 20 new production Eurofighter Typhoons, as well as mission equipment and various ammunition. According to the current plan, six of the aircraft are expected to be delivered in 2030, eight in 2031, and the remaining six in 2032. But ureaIf the team order is transferred, it will be possible for Türkiye to receive new aircraft before these dates.
RACE WITH TIME
One of the most important problems Ankara faces in the procurement of fighter jets is time. The F-16 fleet has been the backbone of the Turkish Air Force’s combat power for many years. The advancing lifespan of some of the aircraft, the need for modernization and the fact that new generation warplanes have not yet entered the inventory make the renewal of the existing fleet more important. While the development work of the National Combat Aircraft KAAN continues, Eurofighter is seen as one of the important platforms that will support the air power until the new generation domestic warplane enters service.
QATAR AND OMAN FORMULA
While Türkiye is waiting for the delivery of new production Eurofighters, it is also working on the option of supplying aircraft in the inventory of Qatar and Oman as an interim solution. The fact that second-hand aircraft can be delivered in a shorter time makes this option important. However, the current use of aircraft, maintenance needs, differences in radar and weapon systems, and the two countries’ own defense requirements will determine the outcome of the negotiations.
IN EDUCATION IN ENGLAND
In Eurofighter procurement, not only the production schedule of the aircraft but also the preparation of the pilots for the new platform is important. British Royal Air Force, in a statement made on September 27 announced that two Turkish fighter pilots started training at RAF Coningsby Base. It is anticipated that experienced pilots’ transition training to Eurofighter will last up to nine months, after which they will complete a three-month instructor program. TypeBefore Kiye takes delivery of the new aircraft, a total of 10 Turkish instructor pilots and approximately 100 maintenance instructors are planned to be trained in England.
AMMUNITION IS ALSO IMPORTANT
Eurofighter’s contribution to the Turkish Air Force also depends on the extent to which its radar and weapon systems can be used. New production Tranche 4 aircraft stand out with their electronically scanned radars, advanced electronic warfare equipment and beyond-visual air-to-air combat capabilities. However, the delivery of the aircraft does not mean that all weapon systems can be used at full capacity at the same time. Ammunition stocks need to be created, maintenance infrastructure needs to be established, technical personnel need to be trained, and aircraft need to adapt to Türkiye’s existing air defense network.
NOT AN ALTERNATIVE TO KAAN
Retired Air Pilot Brigadier General Dr. While Hüseyin Çok stated that Türkiye should have a total of 400 modern warplanes in its inventory for its strategic security, he said, “The Turkish Air Force must have the capacity to serve in different regions at the same time in a wide geography. For this reason, it is important to have around 400 modern warplanes in our inventory.” In this respect, the purchase of Eurofighter is a step that will support our air power. Moreover, we are talking about an aircraft that complies with NATO standards. Eurofighter should not be seen as an alternative to KAAN. “There is a significant need to protect and develop our air power until our national combat aircraft enters the inventory,” he says.
