Turkey has announced that it also wants Eurofighter despite the F-16 deal

Turkey has not given up on purchasing the European Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets, Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Güler announced to CNN Turk. However, German opposition to the sale of Typhoons to Turkey remains, Güler added.

“The Eurofighter is not an exclusive asset for our allies in Germany. We too have an interest in these aircraft, but there are certain issues that our German counterparts are struggling with that we, as NATO members, cannot accept. We have spoken out about this. I am confident that these matters will be resolved quickly, and perhaps the start of Eurofighter sales to Saudi Arabia can be the catalyst for this resolution.” the Turkish politician said in a broadcast.

As for the other American fighter jet, the F-35, Guler said he still doesn’t know “where the subject” of the F-35 goes to Turkey. He recalled that the development of the domestic program for the fifth-generation KAAN fighter is currently underway. Guler welcomed the Greek acquisition of the F-35 and said that “Greece is a member of NATO.” At the same time, according to him “The F-35 in itself does not represent a capability in the Aegean against Turkey.”

Lack of a key partner

TurkDef observations show that Turkey is looking beyond the F-16 Block 70 fighters and modernization kits approved by the US State Department in its search for additional new aircraft. The Eurofighter Typhoon’s ability to fulfill multiple roles and its compatibility with NATO equipment make it particularly attractive. Despite Germany’s reluctance, Britain appears more open to discussing this topic.

Unlike Saudi Arabia, which maintains a strong alliance with Israel, Turkey lacks such a partnership. This difference explains the change in Germany’s position regarding aircraft sales to Saudi Arabia earlier this year, mainly influenced by Israel’s position. Riyadh’s assurances about regional security and its ability to support Israel amid future threats undoubtedly played a role.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has not overlooked Saudi Arabia’s instrumental role in alleviating the ongoing security crisis in the Middle East during her diplomatic trip. Following the disturbing Israel-Hamas conflict that broke out on October 7, she acknowledged Saudi Arabia’s and Israel’s determination to de-escalate despite the tense situation.

Eurofighter is not at the top of the pyramid

Once revered as the pinnacle of European warrior supremacy, the Typhoon has declined in popularity recently. Rival aircraft, such as the French Rafale, now surpass it on several parameters. Disappointing sales figures, exacerbated by politically motivated refusals to sell, have seemingly undermined market positioning.

Political landscapes produce peculiar alliances, such as the somewhat unexpected support from Turkey, not Israel, but arguably more robust support from German unions. At the end of last year, German unions took action together with Turkey to secure the Eurofighter deal, prompted by fears of unemployment if these contracts were not realized.

At MTU Aero Engines, a powerhouse in aircraft engine production, there is an air of despair over the Eurofighter contracts, which are seen as a lifeline for future defense production in Germany. A spokesperson has evoked a sense of urgency. “To future-proof our positions, important decisions must be made quickly. This requires transparency in our planning, especially in the defense sector, about the future of the Eurofighter. Initiating a contract for its continued development is crucial before the current period ends.”

The typhoon

The Eurofighter Typhoon is a highly maneuverable, twin-engine, canard-delta wing, multi-role fighter jet. It was designed and built by a consortium of three companies: Alenia Aermacchi, Airbus Group and BAE Systems. It was first introduced in 2003 and is currently used by several countries including the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Spain and Saudi Arabia.

Impressively, the dimensions of the Eurofighter Typhoon are as follows: a length of 15.96 meters (52.36 feet), a wingspan of 10.95 meters (35.93 feet) and a height of 5.28 meters (17.32 feet). foot). The aircraft has a maximum take-off weight of 23,500 kg (51,809 pounds).

The Eurofighter Typhoon is praised for its advanced capabilities. It can reach a maximum speed of Mach 2.0 (2,495 km/h or 1,550 mph) at high altitude and has a range of 2,900 kilometers (1,800 miles). In addition, the aircraft has a service ceiling of 19,812 meters (65,000 feet) and a rate of climb of 315 meters per second (62,000 feet per minute).

Aeronautical electronics and armament

The avionics of the Eurofighter Typhoon are state-of-the-art. The aircraft is equipped with the CAPTOR-E active electronically scanned array radar system, PIRATE (Passive Infra-Red Airborne Track Equipment) for air-to-air and air-to-ground detection, and the Defensive Aids Sub System (DASS) that provides a complete spectrum of defensive measures.

The Eurofighter Typhoon is equipped with a wide range of armament. It can carry air-to-air, air-to-surface and anti-ship missiles, as well as a 27mm Mauser BK-27 revolver cannon. The aircraft also has 13 hardpoints for weapons loads, allowing it to carry a maximum external load of 9,000 kilograms (19,800 pounds).

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