Eurofighter Deal on the Starting Blocks: British Boost for Turkish Air Fleet

The relations between Ankara and London are currently experiencing remarkable dynamics. Chancellor Olaf Scholz recently stated that the initiative to potentially supply Turkey with Eurofighter jets is being significantly driven by the United Kingdom. Currently, the project is still at an early stage of development. During a joint press conference in Istanbul with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Scholz explained that the initiative originated in the United Kingdom and is being further pursued from there. In response to a query, the Chancellor confirmed that existing doubts need to be overcome to intensify cooperation in the defense sector. Interestingly, the British government did not immediately comment on the issue. However, Ankara had already announced talks with the United Kingdom and Spain last year to acquire Eurofighter Typhoons, which met with resistance from Germany. President Erdogan took stock of the bumpy progress of this project and expressed the desire to leave past obstacles behind. Efforts to expedite the acquisition of the jets, however, seem to be bearing fruit. A representative of the Turkish Ministry of Defense stated that technical efforts are being made to advance the jet purchase plan. The Eurofighter Typhoon is built by a consortium that includes Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Spain. This alliance is represented by companies such as Airbus, BAE Systems, and Leonardo.