While the Hellenic Air Force is shielded by Rafale, upgrades the F-16s to Viper and is preparing for the arrival of the first F-35s, Turkey seems to be definitively turning to the market Eurofighter Typhoon, in a move that more captures its inability to get stealth fighter aircraftrather than changing balances in the Aegean.
In particular, the Turkey It is very close to a preliminary agreement worth up to 6.5 billion euros for the supply of up to 40 Eurofighter Typhoon, according to Exclusive reportage published yesterday (21.07.2025) by Wall Street Journal.
The negotiations have progressed significantly and the announcement is not excluded even within the week, since the new German government finally gives the “green light”, which has been the main suspension of Berlin’s objections to Turkish foreign policy and military policy and military.
The agreement, if completed, will be a huge financial breath for Typhoon’s European Consortium (Bae Systems, Airbus, Leonardo), which sees its exports shrink as long as the US F-35 conquers almost all NATO markets.
However, despite the militant power of Eurofighter Typhoon, The aircraft does not have stealth features that would radically change the business balance in favor her Turkey to Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean.
Eurofighter: The antidote that does not bring up for
Ankara has been seeking a return to the F-35 program for years, but the Erdogan decision to acquire Russian-made S-400 anti-aircraft system against $ 2.5 billion has led to a direct exclusion of Turkey from the stealth program.
This move, which joined the Moscow approach strategy after the 2016 coup attempt, brought a heavy price for the Turkish Air Force, leaving it out of the 5th generation aircraft program, and was already scheduled to receive 100 F-35s.
Today, Turkish staff are well aware that without F-35 Turkey cannot adequately cope with the new potential of the Greek Air Force.
The Greek side was raised vertically with the acquisition of French rafalerocket -equipped Meteor, while already receiving the first fully upgraded F-16 Viperwhich in conjunction with the advent of the fifth generation aircraft type F-35By 2030 they will create a completely modern and network -centered force.
In the face of this data, Eurofighter Typhoon is just for Turkey a solution: a 4.5-generation fighter with high air-to-air performance, top speed and flexibility, Meteor transport capability, but without the technological leap of stealth features that would allow Ankara to gain ankle Under the Greek Viper.
The Kaan program and delays
Ankara is also seeking the development of the 5th generation’s domestic fighter, which made a maiden flight this year. However, analysts estimate that its full operational integration will not be done before 2035-2040, as a long period of testing, engine development and electronics certification is required.
The Eurofighter, Well, It is for Turkey the only means to fill the empty power For the next decade, until Kaan becomes a reliable business.
Germany unlocks the negotiations
Up to today Germany was the big “obstacle” to approving the sale of Eurofighter Typhoon in Turkeydue to the objections to the Turkish stance towards Greece and Cyprus and the Ankara military operations in the region.
However, as Wall Street Journal reveals, The new government under Friedrich Mertz appears ready to approve the export license. The German Chancellor himself said from London that the negotiations are in the final line and decisions are soon expected.
At the same time The UK appears particularly positiveas the Eurofighter is at the forefront of the British Defense Industry. According to sources, London intends to sign inspection and test plan with Turkey by the end of the year, while negotiations on the original agreement are moving rapidly.
The Greek reaction
For Athens, Turkey’s move was expected and does not change the basic design, based on the creation of a network-centered power with stealth platforms and stand-off weapons.
The Eurofighter are remarkable fighter but not a game changer in the Aegean.
The air staff estimates that the Air Force will continue to maintain quality superiority with Rafale, F-16 Viper and in the future F-35.
F-35: The big target that is moving away
Despite the rumors of backstage consultations between Trump and Erdogan to reintegrate Turkey to the F-35 program, US Caatsa sanctions on the S-400 market remain strong and are an institutional obstacle that will be difficult to lift.
In addition, Israel, which has a decisive influence on the release of strategic weapons to countries in the region, will not accept the F-35 tradition in Turkey, especially after the two countries’ relations due to the Ankara attitude to Syria and Gaza.
Political Balances in NATO
The Eurofighter Typhoon market from Turkey will boost its links with Britain and Germany, while the US relationship remains difficult. It will also allow Ankara to display a power image internally, while the national currency collapses and the economy is under intense pressure. However, the actual business benefit is limited compared to the investment of more than $ 5 billion.
Turkey is turning to Eurofighter not because it wants it, but because it needs it. The loss of the F-35s and Kaan’s delays oblige her to find a quick antidote to the Greek Air Force superiority.
However, no matter how it attempts to present the acquisition of Eurofighter Typhoon as a strategic victory, if the agreement finally proceeds it actually does not overturn the balance and simply confirms that Ankara remains outside the New Age Stealth in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Source: Onalert.gr / Costas Sarikas