The prospective induction of Eurofighter Typhoon fighters into the Turkish Air Force continues to take shape at both the political and industrial levels. In this context, the British Embassy in Ankara provided formal written responses to the specialized local outlet TurDef, confirming key aspects of the program, including delivery timelines, aircraft configuration, and the potential integration of locally developed Turkish weapons.
According to the British diplomatic representation, the first delivery of Eurofighter Typhoons to Türkiye is scheduled for 2030, representing the only official timeframe communicated so far. No further details were provided regarding whether deliveries would take place early or late in that year, nor were any contingency margins disclosed, suggesting that the definitive schedule is still under governmental coordination.
This information aligns with recent statements from the Ministry of National Defense of Türkiye, which indicated that six aircraft are expected to be delivered in 2030, followed by eight units in 2031 and the final six in 2032, thus completing the batch of 20 fighters intended to reinforce the capabilities of the Turkish Air Force.
Defined configuration and radar yet to be disclosed
The British Embassy also confirmed that the aircraft configuration has already been finalized, implying that the overall capability package has been agreed upon at the political level. However, it did not disclose which Tranche the aircraft will belong to, nor which radar variant will be selected.
In this regard, the statement noted that “discussions between Oman and Türkiye are ongoing,” suggesting that decisions related to the radar are tied to broader considerations among Eurofighter user nations. It was not clarified whether the radar selection could affect production timelines or program costs.
Integration of Turkish weapons and expanded industrial role
Regarding armament, the Embassy reaffirmed that the Meteor air-to-air missile is included in the planned package and provided two strategically relevant clarifications. First, it stated that “Türkiye has made its intentions clear. The United Kingdom will work with Türkiye to achieve the best possible outcome,” leaving open the possibility of integrating Turkish-developed air-to-air and air-to-surface weapons on the Eurofighter.
Second, it was confirmed that Türkiye could export its sovereign systems to other Eurofighter user nations, a decision that could significantly expand the role of the Turkish defense industry beyond national requirements.
Two-phase sustainment and production in the United Kingdom
With regard to fleet sustainment, it was reported that a separate follow-on contract will define long-term maintenance, overhaul activities, electronic warfare infrastructure, mission data, and training. As such, the program will be structured in two phases: an initial phase covering aircraft and weapons acquisition, followed by a second phase focused on life-cycle support, which remains under negotiation.
The Embassy also detailed the United Kingdom’s role in Eurofighter production, noting that approximately one third of the main components—such as the forward fuselage, tail section, and dorsal tank—are manufactured at the Samlesbury plant. It was further indicated that ongoing orders from Germany, Spain, and Italy will keep Typhoon production active in the UK for the next decade, although it was not specified whether production rates at Warton could influence delivery timelines or costs for the Turkish order.
A visit that formalized the agreement
The purchase of the 20 Eurofighter Typhoons was formally announced in October during the visit of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to Ankara, where he met with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. On that occasion, Starmer emphasized that the deal represented “the largest aircraft export contract in a generation,” highlighting that it would help sustain nearly 20,000 jobs within the British aerospace industry, particularly at facilities in Edinburgh, Samlesbury, Bristol, and Warton.
Although key details such as the radar variant, specific Tranche, and the relationship between costs and delivery timelines remain undisclosed, the political definitions known to date provide greater clarity regarding the scope of Türkiye’s Eurofighter program and its potential industrial and technological projection.
Images used for illustrative purposes.
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