According to a statement by National Defense Minister Yaşar Güler, Turkey plans to procure 40 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets. According to information reported by Spanish news source La Razon, the procurement process will take place in two stages. In the first stage, 20 aircraft will be purchased from the United Kingdom, then 20 newly produced aircraft will be added to the inventory. Turkey aims to receive the first deliveries in 2026, while the aircraft are expected to reach full operational capacity by 2030.
It is known that the United Kingdom plans to remove its Tranche 1 Eurofighter Typhoon warplanes from its inventory. This could speed up Turkey’s procurement process and contribute to increasing its modern air power.
Eurofighter Typhoon and Meteor Missiles
The Eurofighter Typhoon is a fourth-generation fighter jet produced in partnership with Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy and Spain. Turkey reportedly plans to equip these aircraft with Meteor air-to-air missiles. Developed by the European-based MBDA company, the Meteor missiles have a range of over 100 km and can maintain high speed over long distances thanks to ramjet engine technology. They also offer superior strike capability against highly maneuverable targets thanks to active radar guidance.
It is reported that France has approved the sale of Meteor missiles to Turkey, and that the United Kingdom is also pressuring for this sale to take place. Meteor missiles could provide a great advantage in terms of strengthening Turkey's air defense capabilities.
Greece's Response to Meteor Missile Sale
Turkey’s plan to procure Eurofighter Typhoon and Meteor missiles has drawn a reaction from Greece. Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias has taken a strong stance against allegations involving France’s sale of Meteor air-to-air missiles to Turkey. Dendias emphasized in a meeting with French Ambassador to Athens Laurence Auer that the Greek government is absolutely against this sale.
The Greek minister said in an official statement that he had met with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Foreign Minister Giorgos Ierapetritis and then requested an official update on the matter from the French Ambassador in Athens. “I conveyed to the ambassador the strong objection of Greece to this possibility. This situation is not compatible with the excellent strategic relations between the two countries,” Dendias said, according to the Kathimerini newspaper.
Turkey's Strategic Goals
Turkey’s Eurofighter Typhoon procurement process is of great importance in terms of the modernization of its air force. Turkey, which has focused on F-16 modernization projects in recent years, has turned to different fighter jet alternatives after being removed from the F-35 program. The addition of Eurofighter Typhoons to the inventory will provide the Turkish Air Force with great operational flexibility.
This process also shows that Turkey is at a critical turning point in terms of its defense industry and diplomatic relations. Turkey aims to both strengthen defense cooperation with its Western allies and increase regional air superiority. However, the opposition of some countries in the region, especially Greece, to this procurement makes the diplomatic dimension of the process important.
Turkey’s plan to procure Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets is a development that needs to be followed carefully in terms of regional balances. The entry of the aircraft into the inventory will increase the power of the Turkish Air Force and strengthen Turkey’s international defense cooperation. On the other hand, the reactions of Greece and some other countries to this procurement once again reveal the importance of diplomatic negotiations in the field of defense industry.
