Ministry of National Defence (MSB) sources answered the questions of journalists at the weekly press briefing and evaluated the latest situation regarding the procurement of fighter jets for the Turkish Armed Forces. Regarding the procurement of Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets, which was also on the agenda during President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s visit to Qatar, it announced that official information will be made when the contract phase is reached.
Ministry of National Defence sources stated that until the deliveries of the indigenous and national fighter aircraft KAAN begin, the systems that will be required to fulfil the missions assigned to the Turkish Armed Forces are planned to be procured from the relevant countries, especially from the allies.
Positive Steps in Talks with the United Kingdom
Stating that the efforts to procure Eurofighter aircraft are continuing rapidly, Ministry of National Defence sources stated that important and positive steps have been taken in the process:
“Positive steps have been taken in the process regarding the negotiations with the United Kingdom and it is aimed to complete the procurement activities within the appropriate time. Within the scope of the Eurofighter aircraft procurement, official notifications will be made by us when the contract phase is reached. Claims other than this should not be credited.”
This announcement marks the most concrete progress in the long-standing Eurofighter procurement process.
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Signed
A critical step towards the Eurofighter agreement between Turkey and the United Kingdom was taken in late July 2025. The Minister of National Defence and the UK Minister of Defence came together in Istanbul as part of the IDEF 2025 Fair and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
In the statement made after the MoU, it was emphasised that significant progress had been made in the export of Eurofighter Typhoon, and it was stated that Turkey’s joining the users of this platform would further strengthen the strategic solidarity between NATO allies.
Emphasising that the Memorandum of Understanding brings the two countries one step closer to a full-scale agreement, the then Minister of National Defence said: “I welcome this positive step towards our country’s participation in the Eurofighter Typhoon community, and I would like to express once again our joint determination to finalise the necessary arrangements as soon as possible.” The latest statement of the Ministry of National Defence sources shows that the joint determination expressed at that time is moving towards a concrete contract stage.
