Friday November 22, 2024

Türkiye plans to buy 40 Eurofighter Typhoons

Published : 14 Nov 2024, 01:14

  DF News Desk
Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler (C) attends a parliamentary hearing in Ankara, Türkiye, Nov. 16, 2023. File Photo: Handout via Xinhua.

Türkiye will buy 40 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets as Germany finally greenlighted the deal after a long-standing opposition, Türkiye's TV100 broadcaster reported, citing Defense Minister Yasar Guler as saying on Wednesday, reported Xinhua.

The acquisition aligns with Türkiye's strategic goals of strengthening its defense network amid growing regional challenges, said the report.

The Eurofighter Typhoon, manufactured by a consortium of Germany, Spain, Italy and Britain, is known for its advanced capabilities in air-to-air and air-to-surface combat. The approval of any purchase requires consensus from all four countries.

While Spain, Italy and Britain supported the sale, Germany had blocked it due to concerns that Ankara might deploy these aircraft in Syria and Iraq against armed Kurdish groups.

"But in the end, our friends in NATO -- Britain, Italy, Spain -- contributed positively, and Germany also responded favorably," Guler told the TV broadcaster.

Türkiye is also buying fighter jets from the United States.

"We expect no setbacks with our American friends. I even anticipate further progress," he said, noting that Türkiye's current relations with the United States remain strong and constructive.