OR Turkey allegedly in advanced negotiations with Qatar to purchase part 24 Eurofighter Typhoon 3A already in service in Qatar’s Air Force.
With this possible agreement, Turkey’s aim is to fill the operational gap with Eurofighter until the Kaan -in -service, the Turkish fighter generation, which is expected to be launched in the early 2030s.
In July, Turkey signed a preliminary memorandum for the purchase of 40 Eurofighter aircraft from Britain. However, negotiations on pricing and the final terms are still ongoing, as Ankara has ruled Britain’s initial offer very expensive.
“Even if the deal is completed, traditions could last for several years, and Turkey’s need for new aircraft is urgent,” the Mee report said.
Ankara and Doha contacts for used Eurofighter
On the other hand, Qatar could offer a faster solution, as it already has a 24 Eurofighter Typhoon of the Tranche 3A version.
Sources knowing the matter told Mee that an agreement between Turkey and Qatar are near, although the negotiations are still ongoing.
A source from Qatar confirmed that Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler and Air Force Commander, Patriarch Zya Jemal Kantioglou, were in Doha on Tuesday to discuss the possible supply of aircraft.
Any sale would require the approval of the Eurofighter consortium, which includes Britain, Germany, Italy, Spain and France.
Sources told Mee that the consortium supports the agreement, considering Turkey as a major possible buyer who could later look for upgrades and additional Tranche 4 aircraft equipped with advanced radar systems. The important thing for the consortium is to keep its production line alive.
During his recent visit to the White House, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed with his US counterpart Donald Trump’s return to Turkey’s return to the US STEALTH fighter F-35 fighter program, from which he was eliminated in 2019.
Qatar’s Air Force has a fleet of 36 French Rafale and 48 US F-15QA (37 of which have been delivered) and 24 Eurofighter Typhoon, while in 2024 it still ordered 12.
Source: onalert.gr