In recent days, the German press has made a clear response to the claims that new problems have emerged in Türkiye’s Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jet procurement. The statement emphasized that the Eurofighter procurement process was carried out smoothly as planned with UK government officials and manufacturing company officials.
Allegations in the German Press and the Response of the Ministry of National Defense
According to the German newspaper Handelsblatt, the Mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Ekrem İmamoğluFollowing the arrest of Germany, it was claimed that Germany vetoed the possible sale of Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets to Türkiye. The news also reported that the current German government, which made this decision, will end its term in May and that the approach of the planned new coalition government on this issue is still unclear.
Following these claims, Ministry of National Defense sources responded to questions regarding the news that Germany had not approved the Eurofighter procurement. The statement reads, “Negotiations regarding the sale of the Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft to our country are being held with the UK. We have not had any talks with Germany so far. There is no negative issue officially conveyed to us by the UK authorities, who have been our interlocutor since the very beginning of the process. The process is being carried out smoothly as planned with UK government officials and manufacturing company officials. In addition, our price evaluation process regarding the sale of the Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft is ongoing.” This statement clearly stated that Germany was not a direct interlocutor in the procurement process and that the actual talks were being conducted with the UK.
Türkiye's Eurofighter Procurement Request and Aircraft Specifications
Türkiye’s request for the Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jet was announced to the public by National Defense Minister Yaşar Güler in the past period. In this context, Türkiye plans to purchase 40 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets in order to increase the power of its air force.
The Eurofighter Typhoon is a fourth-generation, multi-role fighter jet produced jointly by Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy and Spain. Turkey aims to equip these modern fighter jets with Meteor missiles, particularly in order to increase their long-range air-to-air combat capabilities. The Meteor missile, developed by MBDA, has a range of over 100 kilometers and can maintain high speed even at long distances thanks to its ramjet engine technology. The missile’s active radar guidance offers a high probability of hitting despite the target’s maneuvers. In addition, the Meteor provides a significant tactical advantage in air combat thanks to its ability to engage multiple targets simultaneously. It is stated that France has approved the sale of Meteor missiles to Türkiye and that the United Kingdom is also making diplomatic efforts to make this sale happen. The Ministry of National Defense’s statements confirm that the Eurofighter procurement process is progressing positively with the United Kingdom, while revealing that the claims of the German press do not reflect the truth.
