Turkey buys 44 Eurofighter jets, boosting air power amid F-35 dispute

ALBAWABA-Turkey has secured a major defense deal to acquire 44 Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft from the United Kingdom in an agreement reportedly worth $10.7 billion, marking a significant step in Ankara’s efforts to modernize its air force amid strained ties with the United States and growing regional tensions involving Israel.

The move comes years after Washington removed Turkey from the F-35 Lightning II program in 2019 following Ankara’s acquisition of Russian S-400 missile systems, a decision that triggered sanctions and left a gap in Turkey’s next-generation air capabilities. Since then, Ankara has accelerated efforts to diversify its defense partnerships and reduce reliance on Western suppliers.

A full-scale mockup of the Eurofighter jet is expected to be unveiled at the SAHA Expo 2026 in Istanbul this May, signaling both the operational ambitions of the deal and Turkey’s intent to showcase its evolving aerospace ecosystem. 

The Eurofighter acquisition is widely seen as a strategic workaround to the F-35 exclusion, allowing Turkey to maintain air superiority within NATO while pursuing indigenous alternatives.

The agreement unfolds against a backdrop of heightened geopolitical friction, including reported Israeli contingency planning for a potential preemptive strike targeting Turkish assets in a scenario of escalating regional rivalry. While such plans remain speculative, they underscore the increasingly complex security environment in which Ankara is recalibrating its defense posture.

Turkey’s defense transformation has drawn notable international attention. During his visit, Jens Stoltenberg praised Turkish defense giant Aselsan, highlighting its rapid rise and technological sophistication. He reportedly remarked that the company’s achievements made him “feel old,” emphasizing that Europe has much to learn from Turkey’s defense industrial model.

Echoing this sentiment, Haluk Görgün noted that NATO leadership had expressed interest in replicating Turkey’s industrial experience across member states. Aselsan currently leads development of the “Steel Dome” air defense system, an ambitious project aimed at integrating advanced radar, air defense, and anti-ballistic missile capabilities into a unified national shield.

By combining strategic procurement deals like the Eurofighter acquisition with robust domestic innovation led by firms such as Aselsan, Ankara is positioning itself not only to overcome external restrictions but to redefine its role within NATO and the global defense landscape.