There has been considerable debate in Turkey lately over the potential purchase of Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft in order to enhance its Air Force.
“Among the opinions that have been expressed is the claim, published in the German magazine Der Spiegel, that Germany approved the sale after receiving assurances from Turkey not to use these aircraft against another NATO member,” Turkish journalist Murat Yetkin stated on “Yetkinreport” website.
“The first thing that comes to mind when Germany claims that Turkey cannot use Eurofighter jets against another NATO member is Greece and the Aegean airspace. However, German sources do not specifically mention the issue,” he noted.
Ankara’s position
The well-known journalist and former editor of the English-language Hurriyet, even wondered: “Will Turkish Eurofighters not participate in patrols in the Aegean? If so, will these be missions without weapons?”
A second question raised by Murat Yetkin is whether the Turkish Eurofighters will have a “national software.”
“Will the software of these aircraft have the IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) capability, which will identify NATO member states as ‘Friends’ without discrimination? Will the software on the aircraft purchased from the United Kingdom, Qatar and Oman be coded again to suit Turkey’s specific needs?”
The questions are numerous, such as “there are reports that Greece is opposed to the delivery of Meteor missiles to British aircraft in Turkey. Are the Meteor air-to-air missiles Beyond Visual included in the purchase package?” the Turkish Ministry of Defense was asked.
Missions in the Aegean as well
So what is Ankara’s position on this issue? Getkin raised the questions with the Turkish Ministry of National Defense, whose sources were clear: “It is impossible for Turkey to accept any condition.” In other words, they say that Turkey has not committed itself to not using the Eurofighter Typhoon against any target, if necessary, in order to obtain a sales license, he noted.
Sources in the Turkish ministry even consider the discussion on this issue “irrational.” Therefore, the Eurofighter aircraft could also be used in missions in the Aegean.
Regarding the Eurofighter software: In today’s technology, when you acquire a high-tech aircraft or weapon system, you also need to have excellent knowledge of its software and code. Otherwise, the system may not be fully controlled. The response of the Turkish Defense Ministry sources to this issue was: “We will have permission to integrate any kind of software and ammunition into Eurofighter aircraft.”
Finally, regarding the Meteor missiles, the same sources claimed that the aircraft will be equipped with “Meteor and other missiles.”
Athens reaction
“The responses of the Turkish Ministry of Defense on the use of Eurofighters clearly show that Ankara does not intend to comply with the ‘expectations’ of the European alliance, for the non-use of fighter aircraft against Greece, if Turkey deems it necessary”, military analysts emphasized to Naftemporiki. They even asked the question of whether the Greek government should urgently raise the issue with the four main countries that manufacture the Eurofighter: Germany, Great Britain, Italy and Spain. But also with the five countries that already have these aircraft – Qatar, Kuwait, Austria, Oman and Saudi Arabia – as Ankara has reportedly agreed to purchase 24 used Eurofighters from Qatar and Oman.
The Qatari air force currently has 24 Eurofighter Typhoon [Tranche 3A] aircraft, and last year Doha committed to acquiring from the British another 12 [Tranche 4]. The Omani air force has also had 12 of these aircraft since 2017.
Britain’s stance
British Defence Secretary John Healey described the sale of 20 Eurofighters to Turkey as a “major export deal for the UK” that “will inject billions of pounds into the UK economy and keep the aircraft production lines running for the long term. It goes far beyond simply acquiring aircraft. It is the driving force behind the growing industrial and defence cooperation between our two nations,” Healey stressed, adding: “Turkey is an important NATO ally and the guardian of the Black Sea. By equipping it with high-tech Typhoon fighter jets, this deal will enhance NATO’s deterrent capability and contribute to the security.”
Aircraft deliveries to the Turkish Air Force will begin in 2030… when the Kaan, a 5th generation fighter aircraft developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries, is expected to be launched.
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