Berlin: The German government announced on Wednesday that it has approved the sale of Eurofighter jets to Trkiye. Government spokesman Stefan Kornelius confirmed to reporters that the Defense Ministry has sent a written confirmation to the Turkish government, indicating the export approval for the aircraft. The Turkish government is now tasked with deciding whether to proceed with the order.
According to Anadolu Agency, earlier in the day, the UK and Trkiye reached a significant milestone towards the export of Typhoon fighter jets. This development followed the signing of a memorandum of understanding in Istanbul by the defense chiefs of both countries. The UK Defense Ministry issued a statement highlighting the multibillion-pound export deal as a significant step forward, enhancing the UK-Trkiye partnership.
Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler and UK Defense Secretary John Healey formalized the agreement during the IDEF defense industry fair in Istanbul. The agreement aims to strengthen NATO's collective deterrence and builds upon years of defense collaboration and industrial ties between the UK and Trkiye.
The UK Defense Ministry's statement emphasized the potential for the negotiations with Trkiye to advance over the coming weeks. This would mark the first export order secured by the UK for Typhoon jets since 2017. Prime Minister Keir Starmer remarked that the deal would bolster the defense industry and ensure safety for the UK and its allies.
Defense Secretary Healey reiterated the significance of equipping Trkiye with Typhoons, emphasizing the boost to NATO's collective defense and the economic benefits for both nations. Charles Woodburn, CEO of BAE Systems, noted the memorandum's importance in highlighting the long-standing defense cooperation through NATO and the crucial role of Typhoon jets in European and Middle Eastern security.
A separate statement from the UK Defense Ministry underscored the deepening strategic partnership between the two countries in support of NATO's collective deterrence. The announcement also indicated progress on the Eurofighter Typhoon export, describing it as a new chapter in the UK-Trkiye partnership.
German newsweekly Der Spiegel reported that the German Federal Security Council had approved Trkiye's request for 40 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets, originally made in March 2023. The aircraft will be manufactured in the UK, with components supplied from Germany.