Türkiye’s long-debated fighter jet procurement issue has entered a new chapter with the agreement signed between President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. For years, Türkiye faced a challenging transition period: its F-35 partnership ended, the F-16 fleet was aging under heavy operational load, and the indigenous KAAN fighter needed more time before reaching full operational capability. Within this complex landscape, Eurofighter Typhoon emerged as the strongest interim and complementary solution for Turkish airpower.

For the first time in its history, Türkiye will purchase a major fighter platform from a non-U.S. partner. Under the newly signed arrangement, Türkiye will receive 20 Eurofighter Typhoons from the United Kingdom, along with 12 jets from Qatar and another 12 from Oman—bringing the total to 44 aircraft. These platforms will significantly enhance the Turkish Air Force’s multi-role combat capability thanks to their advanced avionics, sensor fusion, and high-performance flight characteristics.

Pricing details have sparked broad discussion. The UK Prime Minister referenced an £8 billion package, while the manufacturing consortium announced a £5.4 billion agreement. However, these figures include not only the aircraft, but also modernization, training, spare parts, weapons integration, and long-term support—essential components of such a comprehensive procurement package. Meanwhile, the second-hand aircraft coming from Qatar and Oman are considered “low-hour” jets, essentially near-new, and expected to serve Türkiye effectively for decades.

One of the recurring questions concerns the adaptability of the Turkish Air Force to a non-U.S. fighter platform. Despite the shift, Eurofighter Typhoon is fully NATO-compatible, and Turkish pilots are not unfamiliar with the aircraft. Qatar routinely participates in Türkiye’s Anatolian Eagle exercises with its Typhoon fleet, giving Turkish pilots first-hand experience operating alongside the jet. Reports indicate that the first 24 aircraft from Qatar and Oman may enter the Turkish inventory as early as early 2026, allowing Türkiye to build operational and maintenance infrastructure before the UK-built jets are delivered.

Another critical question is whether the Eurofighter acquisition might slow down the development of Türkiye’s indigenous KAAN fighter jet. Authorities have repeatedly stressed that the KAAN program will continue according to its original timeline, unaffected by the Typhoon purchase. The Typhoons are viewed as highly capable complementary assets—not as substitutes—and will operate in tandem with KAAN and Türkiye’s expanding UAV fleet.

The jets destined for Türkiye will be manufactured at the UK’s Eurofighter production line, a major boost for the British aerospace workforce. UK officials noted that the order helps sustain roughly 20,000 jobs and prevents the production line from shutting down. They also signaled a willingness to supply additional jets should Türkiye pursue a larger fleet in the future.

When combined with Türkiye’s modernization of its F-16 fleet, ongoing procurement discussions with the U.S., the development of KAAN, and the integration of indigenous platforms such as HÜRJET, HÜRKUŞ, KIZILELMA, AKINCI, and ANKA-3, the Eurofighter Typhoon acquisition significantly strengthens Türkiye’s airpower posture. It sends a clear message that Türkiye is building a diversified, modern, and highly deterrent air force structure for the coming decades.