Türkiye has taken a significant step toward modernizing its air force, signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the United Kingdom to become an official customer of the Eurofighter Typhoon multirole combat aircraft.

The agreement, signed on Wednesday in Istanbul by senior defense officials from both governments, could pave the way for a major defense contract involving the procurement of up to 40 advanced fighter jets.

The move confirms earlier reports by Dow Jones Newswires and marks a breakthrough in Türkiye’s years-long efforts to acquire the Eurofighter Typhoon—a highly capable fourth-generation-plus aircraft developed by a European consortium of defense giants BAE Systems (U.K.), Airbus (Germany and Spain), and Leonardo (Italy).

Under the new MoU, Ankara is set to enter into negotiations for a multibillion-dollar order, potentially boosting Türkiye’s aerial combat capabilities amid regional and global shifts in military power. Turkish defense authorities have long expressed interest in the Eurofighter platform, especially after their removal from the U.S.-led F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program in 2019 due to the purchase of Russian S-400 air defense systems.

The Eurofighter Typhoon, originally designed as an air-superiority fighter, has evolved into a versatile multirole aircraft capable of conducting both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. With a top speed exceeding Mach 2, advanced avionics, and compatibility with a wide array of munitions, it remains one of the premier fighter jets in service with several NATO and allied nations, including the U.K., Italy, Spain, Germany, Austria, and Saudi Arabia.

Despite the aircraft’s strengths, its export potential has been increasingly challenged by the U.S.-made F-35, which incorporates fifth-generation stealth technology. However, the Eurofighter continues to attract buyers—especially among countries that either cannot access the F-35 or seek to diversify their defense partnerships.

Although the U.K. and Türkiye have formalized their cooperation, finalizing any Eurofighter Typhoon sale to Türkiye will still require approval from all four partner nations in the consortium—namely the U.K., Italy, Spain, and Germany. Past efforts to close the deal have stalled due to Berlin’s resistance. German officials have expressed concerns over aspects of Ankara’s foreign policy, including its military operations in northern Syria and Libya, as well as regional tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Exporting the Eurofighter Typhoon requires unanimous consent from all consortium members, and Germany’s stance continues to be a potential obstacle. Nevertheless, Turkish and British officials expressed optimism that the new agreement will reinvigorate diplomatic efforts to secure the necessary export licenses.

The signing of the MoU highlights the growing defense cooperation between the U.K. and Türkiye, both key NATO allies. The U.K. has increasingly sought to strengthen its defense industry ties with non-EU partners post-Brexit, and Türkiye’s expanding defense budget and geopolitical importance make it a key strategic partner.

Türkiye, for its part, is looking to modernize its aging fleet of F-16 fighter jets while simultaneously developing its indigenous fifth-generation TF-X (KAAN) fighter program, expected to enter service later in the decade. The acquisition of Eurofighter Typhoons would serve as a bridge solution to bolster the Turkish Air Force's capabilities in the interim.

While challenges remain—particularly regarding German consent—the latest agreement signals Türkiye’s determination to diversify its defense procurement and reinforce its airpower. If finalized, the deal would mark a notable success for the Eurofighter consortium and further deepen Anglo-Turkish strategic ties in an increasingly complex global defense landscape. (ILKHA)