Turkey is in discussions with Qatar and Oman to purchase secondhand Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets as part of its plan to strengthen its air force, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Friday.
The country intends to acquire several Eurofighters and other advanced aircraft as a temporary measure to enhance its fleet until its domestically developed fifth-generation KAAN fighter becomes operational.
In July, Turkey and the United Kingdom signed a preliminary agreement for Eurofighter Typhoon sales, produced by a consortium including the U.K., Germany, Italy, and Spain. Reports suggest Ankara is also exploring deals with Gulf nations to secure used jets to meet immediate defense needs.
“We have discussed ongoing negotiations with the Qatari and Omani sides regarding Eurofighter acquisitions,” Erdogan told reporters Thursday while returning from a Gulf tour. “These technically complex talks are progressing positively,” he added.
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During his three-day visit to Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman, Erdogan oversaw multiple agreements, including in defense, though details were not disclosed.
Turkey, a NATO member, is also seeking reentry into the U.S.-led F-35 program, from which it was removed in 2019 over its purchase of Russian S-400 missile systems. Ankara plans a transitional fleet of 120 jets — 40 Eurofighters, 40 F-16s, and 40 F-35s — until the KAAN enters service, expected no earlier than 2028.
Source: AP